Miguel Amaya Leaves Saturday’s Game with Oblique Strain

Catcher Miguel Amaya suffered a left oblique strain during Saturday’s game in Cincinnati and was replaced by Carson Kelly in the bottom of the 5th inning. The Cubs have not released anything about the severity of the injury and likely won’t until imaging comes back, but this is likely to result in an IL stint. Though they kept Ian Happ active for a couple of days prior to placing him on the IL, they don’t have any leeway behind the plate.

As things currently stand, Moisés Ballesteros is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster and looks like the most likely replacement option. However, Craig Counsell would almost certainly roll with Kelly on an everyday basis, using Ballesteros as more of an emergency option if he is indeed called up. Even if it’s just a minimum stay on the IL, losing Amaya and his 131 wRC+ would be a blow.

More on this as we have additional info.

Update: Craig Counsell announced after the game that Amaya will indeed be placed on the IL. Reece McGuire was absent from Iowa’s lineup and has a a possibility to replace Amaya, but he’d need a roster spot.