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Cubs Announce Roster Move After Kyle Tucker $600 Million Contract News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 28, 2025 12:45 PM ET

Unfortunately for Chicago Cubs teammates Kyle Tucker and Miguel Amaya, it'll be some time before they share a lineup.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced after Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the lowly Colorado Rockies that Amaya will miss at least the next month with an oblique injury. Chicago placed Amaya, a third-year catcher from Panama, on the injured list last weekend.

Amaya's absence is a massive blow to a Cubs team averaging an MLB-best 5.96 runs per game. Very rarely do we say that about a backup catcher, but most backup catchers don't average almost an RBI per game for two months.

Indeed, Amaya hit the injured list batting .280 with four home runs, 25 RBI, and a .819 OPS over 27 games. The 26-year-old was well on pace to exceed last year's 1.9 bWAR, and he's added nine doubles in 100 plate appearances.

At least the Cubs still have Tucker, who longtime MLB executive Jim Bowden recently suggested could earn a $600 million contract. Tucker enters Wednesday hitting .285 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and a .922 OPS in 55 games.

Amaya wouldn't have joined the likes of Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong on the NL All-Star Team. However, he'd nonetheless emerged as a reliable bench bat in a loaded Cubs lineup.

Chicago promoted Reese McGuire as a replacement backstop over the weekend, and he's rewarded the Cubs with two home runs in 11 plate appearances. McGuire has started the Cubs' last three games while Carson Kelly battles an illness.

It's unclear if the Cubs will eventually recall top prospect Moises Ballesteros following Amaya's injury. Ballesteros, 21, notched three hits and three RBI in 16 at-bats as a DH earlier this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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