Cubs announce Wild Card Series roster

Here are the 26 players who will be available to face the Padres in the best-of-three Wild Card Series which begins this evening at Petco Park in San Diego. Players are listed in alphabetical order by position.

Gabriel Arias, Alex Bregman, Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Pedro Ramírez, Dansby Swanson

No surprises here.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Conforto, Ian Happ, Matt Shaw, Seiya Suzuki, Tyrone Taylor

I have Shaw listed as an outfielder here, but obviously, he can also play second base or third base.

Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly

Obviously.

Matthew Boyd, Kevin Gausman, Shōta Imanaga

Not necessarily in that order, though Boyd will start Game 1 tonight.

Javier Assad, Aaron Civale, Clay Holmes, Daniel Palencia, David Peterson, Colin Rea, Ryan Rolison, Jacob Webb, Ryan Zeferjahn

Caleb Thielbar is odd-man-out for this series (and perhaps beyond).

Holmes, who’s been a starter the last two years, has extensive relief experience, including being a closer for the Yankees for three seasons. He could be an excellent bullpen weapon.