Cubs forgotten offseason addition still has an obvious role once he returns

The struggles of Michael Busch to open the season seem to have Craig Counsell reversing course on a decision that was made during the offseason. The plan was for Busch to remain in the starting lineup against left-handed pitchers, but over the past week, Carson Kelly and Matt Shaw have gotten starts over Busch when the Cubs were facing a southpaw.

Busch's struggles have exposed one flaw with the Cubs' Opening Day roster construction. Unlike last season, when the Cubs kept Justin Turner around because he was a backup first baseman who could hit lefties, Counsell doesn't have that option at the moment.

It highlights an offseason move that Cubs fans may have already forgotten about. Before the trade for Edward Cabrera and the signing of Alex Bregman, Tyler Austin was the notable offseason move for the Cubs.

After spending the last five seasons overseas, Austin was making his return to Major League Baseball after revamping his swing and tapping into the power that once made him an ascending prospect with the New York Yankees. Considering his success in Japan and past success with the Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, there was reason to believe that Austin could find success against left-handed pitchers this season.

Tyler Austin may eventually be a lever the Cubs pull

FanGraphs' Dan Szymborski was particularly high on Austin's potential impact with the Cubs. His projections had the 34-year-old first baseman posting a 125 OPS+ this season with 14 home runs. If nothing else, Austin was meant to be insurance for both Busch and Moises Ballesteros in the starting lineup.

At the start of spring training, Austin suffered a knee injury that required surgery and was placed on the 60-day IL to open the season. At the time of the injury, Counsell referred to Austin's recovery as a matter of "months". Some estimates suggested that meant Austin would be sidelined until the end of May.

Austin, of course, will need to prove to be healthy and likely will have an extended minor-league rehab assignment, considering he missed nearly all of spring training, but the early indication is that he will have a spot waiting for him on the major league roster if he proves deserving. The Cubs don't have a first base problem, and Busch should be fine, but a healthy Austin could suddenly have renewed value to the team's roster.

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