{"id":569712,"date":"2026-02-13T07:14:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T07:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/569712\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T07:14:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T07:14:56","slug":"chicago-cubs-injury-prone-under-the-radar-asset-gives-big-health-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/569712\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Cubs\u2019 injury-prone under-the-radar asset gives big health update"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs are all set when it comes to their position player situation. But, actually, that\u2019s not entirely the case when it comes to catcher.<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs: Alex Bregman goes public with big expectations for PCA in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sure, veteran Carson Kelly has to be seen as the main guy behind the plate ahead of opening day. He earned that spot with a scorching offensive surge over the first part of 2025 and stable, high-quality catching work throughout the season.<\/p>\n

But the 31-year-old, despite a good showing last season, can\u2019t be the ONLY option for the Cubs. Chicago, heading into 2026, needs the co-starter setup with which they began the 2025 campaign (and with which they excelled as one of the better catching crews in all of baseball).<\/p>\n

But, for that plan to play out over the course of an entire season, they need their young catcher Miguel Amaya to actually stay healthy.<\/p>\n

Miguel Amaya\u2019s frustrating 2025
\n\"MiguelAug 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) is taken from the game on a cart after injuring his ankle at first base in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs: A look at farm system strengths amid dire assessments<\/a><\/p>\n

Amaya had a frustrating 2025 after a breakthrough 2024 with the Cubs. Two months into the season, after establishing himself as a \u201cfor real\u201d major league asset in the team\u2019s co-starter arrangement with Kelly, he went down for nearly two-and-a-half months with an oblique strain. Then, in his first game back with the big league squad on August 13, he sprained his ankle running to first base and would remain on the shelf for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

When healthy and present, he accounted well for himself with a .281 batting average, working on a pace to hit 16-17 home runs and drive in about 100. Unfortunately, he only managed to play in 28 games due to injury.<\/p>\n

This year, as catchers and pitchers report to spring training, the soon-to-be 27-year-old insists that he\u2019s fully healthy and ready to go. He feels so good, as a matter of fact, that he plans on playing for his native Panama at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n

Amaya speaks on health and readiness for 2026
\n\"ChicagoMay 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI let the body heal,\u201d Amaya told media<\/a>, regarding his present tense health. \u201cAnd after that, when I started back on track with doing everything, I said, \u2018Damn, I feel great.\u2019 My body was 100 percent, good to go. I can say in early December I was feeling good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Underneath Amaya\u2019s optimism, though, is a harsh reality. The Cubs-grown catching asset has a long and troubling history of injury.<\/p>\n

All throughout his run as the top catching prospect in the Cubs organization, he\u2019s been slowed down by one injury after another. Aside from the strains and sprains that have hobbled him, he also lost most of the 2022 season in the Cubs\u2019 farm system after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late 2021.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s ample evidence to suggest that Amaya may never be that \u201cevery day\u201d guy behind the plate.<\/p>\n

Then again, however, the Cubs DO need Amaya for as much as he can contribute. Even a semi-healthy 2026, where he can split the games evenly with Kelly, will be a huge plus for the team.<\/p>\n

An important piece of the Cubs puzzle
\n\"MiguelApr 1, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) and catcher Miguel Amaya (9) celebrate after defeating the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Jordan Bastian of MLB.com<\/a> is regarding Amaya as an intriguing player worthy of keeping an eye on this spring.<\/p>\n

Per Bastian:<\/p>\n

\u201cAmaya had a breakout showing in the second half of \u201824 and was off to a strong start in \u201825 before injuries (left oblique and left ankle) limited him to 28 games last year. At the time the catcher was shelved on May 24, Chicago\u2019s catchers ranked third in the Majors in both OPS (.792) and weighted runs created plus (121).<\/p>\n

Once again, the 26-year-old Amaya is set to begin this season in a timeshare behind the plate with veteran Carson Kelly. If healthy, Amaya has a chance to again assert himself as the potential No. 1 option. Behind Kelly and Amaya, Ballesteros (Pipeline\u2019s top Cubs prospect and No. 55 on the Top 100) occupies the third-string role and is expected to get more catching chances as he continues to develop defensively.\u201d<\/p>\n

With not much behind him and a Kelly coming off a career offensive year ahead of him, Amaya needs to stay present and productive. There\u2019s just not much of a catching plan B at this point.<\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, Amaya is optimistic about the coming year and the Cubs\u2019 catching arrangement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great year here with the Cubs,\u201d Amaya told reporters on Tuesday. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a good squad. For me, the season begins yesterday. My mentality is, \u2018I want to win every single game this year.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter who is playing \u2014 if it\u2019s Carson or if it\u2019s myself \u2014 we\u2019re going to do damage. We\u2019re going to help our team. We\u2019re going to take care of our pitchers. That\u2019s what we were doing in the beginning of the season. Let\u2019s get back on track.\u201d<\/p>\n

As is always the case, time will tell.<\/p>\n

\"MLB<\/p>\n

MLB Insider names Chicago Cubs\u2019 second baseman as an extension candidate
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