The Chicago Cubs may soon need to call up top prospect Moisés Ballesteros again, following an injury to catcher Miguel Amaya.
Amaya exited Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds with a right oblique strain after making a throw to second base during Elly De La Cruz’s stolen base attempt. Cubs trainers examined him, and he was replaced by Carson Kelly. After the game, manager Craig Counsell told the Chicago Sun-Times that Amaya is “likely” headed to the injured list and is expected to undergo imaging on Tuesday.
The Cubs finish their series in Cincinnati on Sunday before returning home to face the Colorado Rockies.
Amaya has been effective at the plate this season, batting .280 with a .313 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage, four home runs, and 25 RBI in 27 games. He became the team’s everyday catcher as a rookie in 2023 but has split time with Kelly this year. Kelly has been even more productive, hitting .301/.425/.612 with nine home runs and 24 RBI over 32 games.
If Amaya is placed on the IL, the most likely roster move would be recalling Ballesteros. The young catcher recently made his MLB debut but was sent back to the minors after going 3-for-16 in five games. He remains the only other catcher on the Cubs’ 40-man roster.
Kelly is expected to start Sunday’s game, but the Cubs must decide whether to make a roster move immediately or wait until returning to Chicago—risking playing a game with just one available catcher.
