The Chicago Cubs have placed catcher Miguel Amaya on the 10-day injured list as of Thursday and have called up top Triple-A Iowa prospect Owen Casey. Amaya suffered a left ankle sprain during Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over the Blue Jays when his legs awkwardly landed in front of a base on an infield single, forcing him to be carried off the field. The 26-year-old had just returned from the injured list on Tuesday after missing time since May 25 due to a left diagonal strain.
Manager Craig Counsel expressed that Amaya is disappointed, noting the frustration of being sidelined for months and missing the chance to contribute to the team’s pursuit of success. Amaya was a vital part of the Cubs’ 2024 lineup due to his defensive skills behind the plate and solid hitting for his position, but this season he was primarily focused on batting.
Owen Casey made his major league debut in the final game of the series in Toronto, playing as a designated hitter and finishing fifth in the lineup against pitcher Max Scherzer. Casey, 23, hails from Burlington, Ontario, just outside Toronto, and has impressed this season with a .289 batting average, 22 home runs, and 52 RBIs in 93 games. He particularly shined in August, batting .393 with two homers and five RBIs.
Coach Counsel mentioned that while Casey’s role might not be large, the team is considering rest and workload management as they navigate the schedule. Casey was initially drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2020 amateur draft before being traded to Chicago in a deal involving Yu Darvish in December 2020.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fan Take: This update is important for baseball fans as it highlights the unpredictable nature of player health and the opportunity it creates for promising prospects like Owen Casey to make their mark. It’s a reminder of how depth and development within a team can shape the season’s narrative and potentially impact the team’s future success.
