Chicago Cubs News: Alexander Canario set to make Major League debut

Major League rosters have expanded to 28 and the Chicago Cubs wasted no time in promoting outfield prospect Alexander Canario.

Smokies Center Fielder Alexander Canario (24) sits in the dugout during a game against the Rocket
Smokies Center Fielder Alexander Canario (24) sits in the dugout during a game against the Rocket / Jamar Coach/News Sentinel / USA TODAY

It is the first day of September and the Chicago Cubs wasted no time in adding reinforcements to their Major League roster as teams can carry 28 players now.

On Thursday, it was first reported that outfield prospect Alexander Canario will be promoted to the Major League level and it would seem likely to have his Major League debut on Friday when the Cubs play a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.

Canario has had a remarkable journey over the past 12 months. Had it not been for suffering a concurrent ankle and shoulder injury on a freak play last Fall, Canario likely would have entered the 2023 season as a Top-100 prospect in baseball and likely would have been on the fast track to making his Major League debut.

Given the fact that the injuries required multiple surgeries, there was not much expectation cast on Canario's 2023 season as the goal was just to get him back on the baseball field. Canario returned to game action in June and had an OPS over 1.000 with the Iowa Cubs during the month of August.

The immediate question is how will manager David Ross deploy Canario. Given the current state of the Cubs' Major League roster, there is no path toward everyday at-bats for Canario. Having said that, Canario, given the power that is included in his offensive profile, could see consistent at-bats against left-handed pitchers. One idea would be for Canario to take over Patrick Wisdom's role on the team as the Cubs have been extremely selective with Wisdom's playing time over the course of the past month.

In addition to Canario, the Cubs are adding veteran right-handed pitcher Shane Greene to their Major League roster. Greene is expected to start one of the games in the Cubs' doubleheader against the Reds on Friday.

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