Cubs' Backup 1B Solution May Be Found in Catching Trio -

"The Cubs now need to figure out who their secondary first baseman will be to begin the 2026 season. Craig Counsell said that Austin's surgery will cause him to miss "months," meaning this will not be a brief absence. Busch isn't just the only member of the big league roster with first base as his primary position, he's just about the only one who plays there at all."

"Bruce Levine reported that Amaya started taking reps at first base after Austin's injury, making him one of the prime candidates to fulfill the backup role. Amaya has some experience there in the minors, even if it was just 37 games, and being a right-handed hitter means he'd generally only be needed there against tough lefties."

"The three best options may all come from the catching trio of Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya, and Moisés Ballesteros. Counsell will have his hands full trying to find playing time for all three, although Ballesteros should be the main designated hitter with little time coming behind the plate."

Tyler Austin's knee surgery will sideline him for months, leaving Michael Busch as the Cubs' only primary first baseman heading into the 2026 season. With Opening Day approaching, manager Craig Counsell must find creative solutions. The team is considering using catchers from their trio of Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya, and Moisés Ballesteros to fill the backup role. Miguel Amaya has begun taking infield reps at first base and has minor league experience at the position from 37 games. Using catchers at first base would allow all three to appear in the lineup simultaneously while providing positional flexibility.

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