MESA – The Chicago Cubs today assigned seven players to Triple-A Iowa’s roster, reducing the spring roster from 43 to 36 players.

 Right-handed pitcher Manuel Rodríguez has been optioned to Iowa.

Six non-roster invitees have been assigned to Iowa’s roster: right-handed pitchers Adrian Sampson, Mark Leiter Jr., Eric Yardley and Cayne Ueckert, and catchers John Hicks and P.J. Higgins.

Chicago’s spring roster of 36 players consists of 20 pitchers (which includes four non-roster invitees), two catchers, eight infielders (one non-roster invitee) and six outfielders.