MAJOR REAKING: Cubs Hit Hard As Star Catcher Faces 4–6 Week Layoff With Painful Oblique Injury.

The Chicago Cubs have been dealt a significant blow as catcher Miguel Amaya is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a left oblique strain. The injury occurred during the fifth inning of Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, when Amaya experienced discomfort while making a routine throw to second base. He was immediately removed from the game and subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list.

An MRI conducted earlier this week confirmed the extent of the strain, with Cubs manager Craig Counsell indicating that the team aims to have Amaya back before the All-Star break in mid-July. “He was in pretty good pain when he left the game,” Counsell said. “Try to get him back before the All-Star break. That’s probably the goal.”

Before the injury, Amaya was enjoying a productive season, batting .280 with four home runs and 25 RBIs over 27 games. His contributions were a key part of the Cubs’ strong performance, with the catching duo of Amaya and veteran Carson Kelly combining for 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. In response to Amaya’s absence, the Cubs have called up veteran catcher Reese McGuire from Triple-A Iowa. McGuire, who has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox, brings experience to the roster. He made an immediate impact by hitting two home runs in his Cubs debut.

Carson Kelly is expected to take on the primary catching duties during Amaya’s recovery. Kelly has been performing well this season, leading the Cubs with a 1.037 OPS among players with at least 10 plate appearances. The team plans to manage his workload carefully to avoid overtaxing him early in the season.

The Cubs are hopeful that Amaya’s recovery will proceed smoothly, allowing him to return to the lineup before the All-Star break. In the meantime, the team will rely on the combined efforts of Kelly and McGuire to maintain stability behind the plate. The organization remains optimistic about their depth and resilience as they navigate this challenging period