Michael Busch backup revealed despite missing Cubs Opening Day roster

The Chicago Cubs have confirmed that minor league infielder Jonathon Long will not make the Opening Day roster, but he is viewed as the team's backup for first baseman Michael Busch. The news came from Manager Craig Counsell via a roundup published by The Athletic on Monday.

"The message for Johnny was that we want you to play. he is a day away from being in the big league."

Long was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on Saturday after a promising Spring Training performance where he slashed .333/.444/.476 in 27 plate appearances. Long served as the Iowa Cubs' starting first baseman for the entire 2025 season, finishing the year with 46 extra-base hits, 79 walks, and 91 RBIs. Good enough to nab him the honor of Cubs' minor league player of the year.

With solid defense at first and productivity against righties and lefties, Long looks poised to make his major league debut and possibly step into a bench role at some point this year, even though he missed the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs' Opening Day roster doesn't have a defined backup first baseman

Last year, MLB veteran Justin Turner served as Busch's main backup at first. After letting Turner go in free agency, which was probably the right move given his age (41) and fringy bat, the team signed Tyler Austin to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. Austin looked like a lock for one of the team's bench spots until he suffered a patellar tendon injury that will sideline him for several months.

After Austin went down, the Cubs started giving Matt Shaw, who is already expanding his repertoire to learn how to play the outfield, a look at first. But with Seiya Suzuki's injury landing him on the injured list to start the season, Shaw will likely be needed in right field, where his smaller size and speed would also be better utilized.

Catcher Miguel Amaya has also played a few innings at first this Spring Training, giving the team a few options in the nightmare scenario where Busch goes down with an injury. But if Busch does hit the IL, it seems that Long will get the call to join the team at Wrigley Field.

The good news is that Busch has been remarkably healthy since coming to Chicago, appearing in 152 and 155 games in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Busch also broke out with 34 homers and 25 doubles last year, becoming a driving force in Chicago's lineup. The injury to Austin and his ascendance as a power hitter are giving the Cubs fewer excuses to bench him against left-handed pitchers, which they routinely did last year.