Chicago Cubs Catcher Targeting All-Star Break to Rejoin Team

The Chicago Cubs got some injury news about Miguel Amaya. The 26-year-old catcher has been out since May 24 with an oblique strain suffered on a throw down to second base against the Cincinnati Reds. The manager of the Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell, says that the team is targeting the other side of the All-Star break for him to possibly return to the lineup.

Getting Amaya back in the lineup and a rhythm behind the plate could be huge, not only for Amaya to get back on the field, but to maybe free up some assets for the front office ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Miguel Amaya Could Rejoin Chicago Cubs After All-Star Break

The Chicago Cubs have gotten great production from their catchers this season. Despite using several players to be the backstop, the team has gotten some of the best output from the catching position this season. Carson Kelly came close to being named an All-Star, and Reese McGuire has been a solid backup after being added in the middle of the season. Even rookie Moises Ballesteros has gotten some time with the major league team and contributed.

However, the Chicago Cubs’ primary catcher, Amaya, is at the top of the food chain when it comes to playing time behind the plate. Amaya has been out since the end of May with an oblique injury, and while the group of Kelly, McGuire, and Ballesteros has been serviceable, the Cubs are looking forward to getting Amaya back in the lineup. Counsell gave some insight into how Amaya’s rehab is going and when they can expect to get Amaya back healthy.

“We’re post-All-Star break with Miguel at the soonest. He is still doing hitting and throwing activities. We are not close to game action,” Counsell said. This was the first time that anyone in the organization had given a timetable for Amaya’s return.

While it’s not great news that Amaya will have missed almost two months by the time he’s back behind the plate, it’s good to have an estimate for when the team can expect to have him back with the trade deadline coming up and rumors swirling around what the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs will do, or be capable of doing, after Amaya comes back.