The Chicago Cubs have made some roster moves, placing catcher Miguel Amaya on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. To fill the void, they’ve selected veteran catcher Reese McGuire from Triple-A Iowa. McGuire, 30, has had a decent season at Triple-A, posting a .280/.360/.467 slash line with three home runs in 86 plate appearances. He’ll wear uniform number 20 for the Cubs.
Why McGuire over Moises Ballesteros?
The Cubs opted for McGuire’s experience behind the plate over promoting top catching prospect Moises Ballesteros. This decision likely stems from Ballesteros’ ongoing development as a catcher, and the team might not be ready to give him regular playing time. With Ian Happ returning and Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker splitting DH starts, Ballesteros might not have seen significant playing time anyway ¹.
Reese McGuire’s Background
McGuire has spent parts of seven seasons with the Blue Jays, White Sox, and Red Sox, displaying a nice stroke at the plate. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and has played in 354 games, posting an 80 wRC+ with a .664 OPS. The Cubs signed him to a minor-league deal in the offseason, and he has been stockpiling veteran experience behind the plate ².
Impact on the Team
With Amaya out, Carson Kelly will likely take on a bigger role, starting most games behind the plate. McGuire might only get 1-2 starts per week. The Cubs are currently leading the National League Central division with a 31-21 record, and they’ll hope McGuire can help fill the void left by Amaya’s injury ³.
What’s Next for Miguel Amaya?
The Cubs will know more about Amaya’s oblique injury later next week. Amaya and Kelly have been a formidable catching duo, producing a 157 wRC+ this season, the highest mark among catchers in the league. Amaya’s absence will be felt, but the Cubs are hoping McGuire can provide stability behind the plate ¹.
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