Cubs plan to add B.J. Murray from the minors at roster expansion

The Chicago Cubs are planning to select the contract of corner infielder B.J. Murray as MLB rosters expand tomorrow, a move that would place the Bahamian-born switch-hitter onto the active roster, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The expectation is that the Cubs will use an available 40-man roster spot to bring Murray closer to major-league playing time.

Murray is not currently listed on Chicago’s 40-man roster, which is why the transaction matters procedurally: selecting a contract at expansion is one of the most direct paths for a team to add a player for the final portion of the regular season. In practical terms, it creates an immediate depth option for the Cubs, especially for a club that typically leans on role players and platoons late in the year.

The reporting also frames the move as part of a broader call-up pattern that tends to accelerate once roster expansion deadlines arrive. With expansion comes more flexibility for managers who want specialized matchups, injury cover, or extra options across the infield, particularly for a team evaluating its bench and late-season strategy.

MLB Trade Rumors notes that a Bahamian Baseball Association report was first to indicate Murray was nearing the majors, before the Cubs’ planned selection was discussed more widely. That sequence underscores how players from outside the continental United States can be tracked through international baseball communities, sometimes before a team formally announces a roster change.

For the Cubs, the selection of Murray is most likely to be evaluated in terms of what he provides in games that become more matchup-driven as October approaches. Corner infield roles are often used to keep a roster balanced, cover innings defensively, and allow managers to optimize bat-versus-pitch considerations in pinch-hit and start opportunities.

There is still room for uncertainty because, as with any roster-expansion plan, the final outcome depends on the day-of roster moves the team executes and the accuracy of timing. Even when a contract selection is reported in advance, the official roster update is what ultimately confirms the transaction. Fans should look for the Cubs’ roster announcement tomorrow to verify the move’s final details.

If the selection does occur as described, the next question becomes how the Cubs intend to deploy Murray once he is eligible for active-roster games. The platoon usage, the innings mix at the corners, and the role he takes in late-season lineups will likely offer the clearest answer about why Chicago made the move now rather than later.