The Cubs’ busy day continued as they added four player to the 40-man list ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft. The Cubs’ 40-man roster sits at 38. 

Brennen Davis, Kevin Alcántara, Ben Brown and Ryan Jensen all had their contracts selected Tuesday afternoon.  

It was no secret the Cubs had plenty of players they wanted to protect, and they hinted at that by clearing 7 spots on the 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday. They also added to the roster Tuesday afternoon when they acquired Miles Mastrobuoni from Tampa Bay.

“It was very different in the last few years in the sense of we have a lot of hard decisions to make,” Jed Hoyer said. “But that’s a good thing.”

Davis (1) and Alcántara (3) were among Lance Brozdowski’s Top 25 Cubs prospects at the 2022 mideseason update, so it wasn’t much of a surprise to see them added.

The 23-year-old Davis had surgery in his back early in the season to repair a vascular malformity. He was shut down in the Arizona Fall League but is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Assuming health, it’s possible he could make his major league debut in 2023.

Alcántara was acquired in the Anthony Rizzo trade in 2021 and is a consensus top pick in the Cubs system. He spent 2022 at Low-A Myrtle Beach, hitting .273/.360/.451 with 15 home runs, 85 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

The Cubs acquired Brown for David Robertson at this year’s trade deadline and posted a 3.38 ERA across High-A Jersey Shore (Phillies affiliate) and Double-A Tennessee. Brown, who ranks 13^th on Brozdowski’s Top 25 prospects, uses a strong mix with a four-seam fastball, curveball and slider.

Jensen (17^th on Brozdowski’s Top 25) was the Cubs 1^st round pick in 2019 and pitched to a 4.25 ERA in 17 starts at Double-A Tennessee. 

The Rule 5 Draft is Wednesday, Dec. 7 during the MLB Winter Meetings.