The Chicago Cubs moved to protect their catcher depth as they welcomed Miguel Amaya back from the 60-day injured list and kept three catchers on the active roster. Reese McGuire, who had been filling in admirably behind the plate and with his offense, faced the reality that he’s out of minor-league options and would likely be claimed if the Cubs waived him. As a result, Chicago designated veteran infielder Jon Berti for assignment to preserve assignment flexibility behind the plate and in the infield.
The timing couldn’t be more deliberate: Amaya was activated ahead of the series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto, with Carson Kelly slated to start most games while Amaya’s return is eased back into the lineup. The Cubs also called up right-hander Javier Assad from the injured list to start Tuesday’s game, and optioned reliever Nate Pearson to Triple-A Iowa.
“Catching is a position that we didn’t want to have to start anew with if something happened, and that’s important, and at this time of the year, we thought that the experience of that is important,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And so we wanted to preserve that but absolutely, Reese certainly plays a part in that, and he’s done a nice job with it.”
Amaya hasn’t appeared in a game since May 24 due to an oblique strain, but the Cubs are optimistic about his fit with Kelly and McGuire as the season progresses. Counsell noted that balancing Amaya’s and McGuire’s playing time will be a challenge, with Kelly expected to handle the bulk of starts for now.
The roster move comes as the Cubs near another expected return, with right-hander Jameson Taillon progressing toward rejoining the rotation. Taillon will make a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and could be part of the rotation for a six-game stretch in five days, thanks to Monday’s doubleheader against Milwaukee. After that run, Counsell indicated the Cubs aren’t planning to roll out a six-man rotation again until September, when it could be revisited.
Additionally, Michael Soroka is tentatively scheduled to throw catch for the first time during the upcoming homestand after a right shoulder strain. The team hasn’t laid out a full path for Soroka beyond that but expects more than one catcher session before advancing to a bullpen, recognizing that the regular-season schedule is tightening.
Bottom line: Chicago is prioritizing veteran, reliable catching and the flexibility to adapt as Taillon and Amaya return, even if that means parting with Berti to keep a robust catching group in place. The move underscores the Cubs’ focus on stability and readiness down the stretch, with Amaya’s health and Taillon’s return catalysts for improved depth and rotation balance.
Summary: The Cubs kept three catchers by designating Jon Berti for assignment while activating Amaya and bringing back Assad, reinforcing catcher depth as Taillon nears a return and Soroka progresses. The plan centers on preserving experienced catching behind the plate, maintaining balance in the rotation, and easing Amaya back into regular play.
Positive note: By preserving catcher depth, the Cubs are positioning themselves for a stronger finish, leveraging Amaya’s return, Kelly’s steadiness, and the anticipated reinforcements from Taillon and Soroka to bolster a competitive push down the stretch.