Chicago Cubs: Amaya taking emergency reps at first base following key injuries

The Chicago Cubs made what they felt was an ideal low-risk acquisition this past offseason when they acquired free agent first baseman Tyler Austin, who could spell starter Michael Busch in games against tough left-handed pitching. Now, that bit of a gamble might go down as a bust.

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On Wednesday, it was announced that the 34-year-old underwent right knee surgery (right patellar tendon debridement procedure) and would be out “months,” per manager Craig Counsell.

Austin, who was coming off a successful six-year run with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s Pacific League, was signed by the Cubs to be the team’s chief backup at first base and also as a right-handed impact back off the bench. His $1.2 million 2026 contract was contingent upon staying on the major league roster and also featured some incentive bonus money for plate appearances.

A four-year MLB veteran, he’s also spent time with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers without ever having a clear, defined role as an everyday player.

Austin, Long injuries disrupt first base plans

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His injury puts a strain on the team when it comes to suitable backup to Busch, who had a breakthrough sophomore year in 2025 with 34 home runs 90 RBIs and a .261 batting average, all while playing a near Gold Glove-level first base.

“It’s opportunity for others,” Counsell told media. “I would say he had an inside track [for an Opening Day job], and it’s an option that’s off the table right now. So, it opens up opportunity for others.”

The question, though, is who those “others” might be.

On Saturday, top first base prospect and 2025 Minor League Player of the Year Jonathon Long suffered an elbow strain fielding a thrown ball in a game and will be out for an undisclosed period of time. He’s subsequently been forced to withdraw his participation from the World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Chinese-Taipei.

While Long is expected to be back before the end of spring training, the time lost will slow down his readiness for the season. For a young prospect not really expected to make the big league squad on Opening Day, anyway, this pretty much guarantees that he’ll start the season as a member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

Backup for Michael Busch?

So, what can Chicago do for backup to Busch versus the occasional tough lefty or, in an absolute worst case scenario, in case of injury?

The Cubs are working on that.

On Thursday, Cubs beat reporter Bruce Levine reported that catcher Miguel Amaya will be getting some reps at first base.

“Cubs Miguel Amaya has been taking some infield at first base in case he is needed there,” Levine posted via social media. “Amaya told me he played and practiced the position a lot in the minor leagues.”

The soon-to-be 27-year-old Amaya hasn’t played first base at any point in the majors, but he’s registered 307 innings there over 38 games throughout the minors. Ideally, he could fully fill the role Austin was signed to fill while also maintaining his spot as co-starting catcher alongside Carson Kelly.

Emergency options

Another option for Chicago is rookie Moises Ballesteros, who split time between catcher and first base in the minors, but will likely earn his major league roster spot as a bat-first prospect. Comparatively under-developed defensively at catcher and first base, he may be thrust into a major league role at both positions at some point.

Left fielder Ian Happ also has some very limited first base experience, but hasn’t played the position since 2020.

In a best case scenario, Busch will simply stay healthy while also staying in games against lefties more often. Then, having Amaya and Ballesteros cycle in behind him on occasion won’t represent too much of a downgrade.

But the Cubs are also clearly preparing themselves for the worst.

The post Chicago Cubs: Amaya taking emergency reps at first base following key injuries appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-first-base-amaya-busch-austin-long-injuries/