As the Chicago Cubs were nearing the end of their postseason drought on Sept. 17, catcher Miguel Amaya intently watched on one of the TVs in the Principal Park weight room.
Amaya, who was expected to be an important part of Chicago’s run this season, quietly celebrated on his own as Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hauled in the final out and set off a champagne-soaked celebration in the visiting clubhouse in Pittsburgh.
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“My heart was there,” Amaya said.
Amaya has had to watch from afar for most of the team’s success this season. But the Cubs catcher is still hoping he can be a part of the fun at some point this season. Amaya is scheduled to catch for the Iowa Cubs during the team’s regular-season finale at Principal Park on Sept. 21. After that, he could potentially return to the Chicago Cubs during what has turned into an injury-plagued season for the youngster. But even he doesn’t know what’s next.
Miguel Amaya went 1-for-2 with a single during his rehab game with the Iowa Cubs on July 29.
“All you can do is stay strong and have a lot of faith and keep it going,” Amaya said.
The 26-year-old Amaya has endured a long and difficult season that has led to him spending a big bulk of it on the injured list. After coming on strong at the end of the 2024 season, the hope was that Amaya, along with Carson Kelly, could provide a big boost to Chicago’s catching position this season. Kelly has done his part with Reese McGuire helping fill Amaya’s void following two injuries.
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Amaya appeared in 27 games, hitting .280 with nine doubles, four home runs and 25 runs driven in with a .819 OPS before he landed on the injured list back in May with a left oblique strain. The injury kept Amaya out until August. His return to the big leagues was short-lived after Amaya suffered an ankle injury trying to beat out a throw to first base.
Amaya feared that the devastating injury, which led to him being carted off the field as he got emotional, would cost him the remainder of the season. He said the original diagnosis called for him to be in a walking boot for two weeks. But when X-rays came back negative the following day, Amaya held out hope that he could return this season.
“It’s a thing that goes day-by-day,” Amaya said.
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The good news is that Amaya was eventually able to get back on the field, joining Iowa on a rehab assignment in September. Amaya went 2-for-11 through his first three games. While getting back on the field has been great, missing important moments, like the clincher, has been tough.
Amaya said he tuned into the game with his temporary Iowa teammates before retreating to the weight room for a workout. He watched from there as the final out was tallied and the team commenced its huge locker room celebration.
“It was amazing,” Amaya said. “The team was built for that. Everybody’s in there doing their job and I’m so happy for them.”
Amaya was asked if he popped any champagne in Iowa.
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“Just mentally,” Amaya said with a smile.
Things remain up in the air for Amaya with Kelly and McGuire playing well. The Cubs could activate Amaya when Iowa’s season is over or send him to Arizona to keep working out at the team’s facility to eventually bring him back. Amaya said he doesn’t know what the plan is. But he’s willing to do whatever.
“Whatever is the decision they’re taking, I’m good with it,” he said.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Miguel Amaya celebrates Cubs going to postseason while in Iowa