Cubs' Miguel Amaya injury update is nothing short of miraculous

It was a heartbreaking scene on Wednesday night when Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya landed awkwardly on first base while trying to beat out an infield dribbler. Amaya's reaction ignited fear that the young catcher suffered a career-altering injury; however, the indication remains that a long-term injury was avoided. Craig Counsell told reporters after the game that Amaya had suffered a sprained ankle and will be placed on the IL.

Considering the fear, at the time, was that Amaya suffered a severe knee injury, an ankle sprain feels like the best outcome of the situation the Cubs were facing. As far as the short-term plans, top prospect Owen Caissie has taken Amaya's spot on the 26-man roster.

The Cubs already had Reese McGuire on the 26-man roster, so in terms of the immediate catching plans, there likely won't be any change to what the team has done since the end of May, when Amaya originally landed on the IL with an oblique injury.

Cubs dodged a long-term roster headache with Miguel Amaya's injury update

It remains to be seen if Amaya will return at any point this season, but at the very least, the 2026 plans at the catching position remain unchanged. Carson Kelly is under contract for the 2026 season, and the assumption is that a healthy Amaya will complete the catching tandem that the Cubs had at the start of this season.

McGuire is a free agent after this season, and with Moises Ballesteros waiting in the wings at the Triple-A level, it doesn't feel like the Cubs would be eager to bring back the veteran catcher.

Ballesteros has been battling an injury of his own over the last week after fouling a ball on his foot. Depending on the plan for Caissie at the Major League level, Ballesteros could take that roster spot once he's healthy, assuming the Cubs want Caissie to return to having every-day plate appearances. Regardless, Ballesteros likely factors into the Cubs' catching situation next season.

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