The Chicago Cubs will be without their starting Catcher Miguel Amaya for at least 4-6 weeks after he suffered an oblique injury against the Cincinnati Reds. Amaya was trying to throw out a runner at second base when he felt something nab at his side. He was visibly upset leaving the field with the Chicago Cubs medical staff, perhaps knowing he was destined for a trip to the injured list. Craig Counsell announced that postgame imaging revealed the left oblique strain and the timetable for a possible return for the starting catcher is at least 4-6 weeks.
Amaya has been playing the best baseball of his career in 2025 and will look to recapture that when he returns. In the meantime, with Amaya out the Chicago Cubs will turn to Carson Kelly, who has been one of the best back-up backstops in all of baseball this season.
The team has called up Reese McGuire to step in as the new backup, although the Cubs could also recall top prospect Moisés Ballesteros for another chance at the major league level. With three viable options, the Chicago Cubs hope to keep the production from the catcher position at a high level.
Chicago Cubs Catcher Miguel Amaya Out with Oblique Strain
The Chicago Cubs lost another player to an oblique injury last week when Amaya had to leave a game in Cincinnati against the Reds. After attempting to throw out a runner at second base, Amaya came up gimpy and after a quick visit from the medical staff, he was removed from the game. It will be a while before Amaya returns for the Chicago Cubs, as it was then announced that Amaya is heading to the injured list. Counsell said that the timetable for Amaya’s return is at least 4-6 weeks.
The injury is interrupting Amaya’s best season yet. So far in 2025, he is hitting .280 with a .313 OBP, .505 SLG, and .819 OPS with 4 HR and 25 RBI. Amaya’s improvement in the box and defensively is a reason for the success of the Chicago Cubs. In a make-or-break season for the 26-year-old Panamanian, he is heading in the right direction. He, as well as the Cubs, are hoping that this oblique injury doesn’t derail his progress and he can make an effective return when he is fully healthy.
While Amaya is sidelined, the Chicago Cubs have three viable options to fill in at catcher. Kelly is the other catcher on the active roster and after getting off to an incredibly hot start at the plate, he is more than qualified to take on more playing time as the primary backstop.
With Amaya going on the injured list, a spot opened up for McGuire on the active roster. The veteran will have the opportunity to flourish at the bottom of the order when Kelly needs an off day. If neither of the veterans is available, the Cubs could opt to recall top prospect Moisés Ballesteros and give him a second crack at the major league roster.
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