""It's not great news," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of the visa situation that has held up the two catchers' arrivals, per the Sun-Times. "[It's] looking like next weekend, at the earliest .... There's not much you can do .... We've just got to play this process out ...." Counsell had originally indicated that the catchers were "expected shortly" when they weren't in camp for day one, and then later said that the situation was "out of our control a little bit,""
"It's certainly concerning, especially given (1) the change of tune from day one, and (2) the climate for immigration right now in the United States. That's not a comment on anything policy-related, but instead a mere acknowledgement that there are potentially more logistical issues in play at the moment (especially for players from Venezuela) than there have been in the past."
"This is a 22-year-old with very little big league experience, who is expected to jump into the designated hitter spot on a competitive team, while also continuing to work behind the plate and try to make himself ready as a third option back there. If there is any profile for a guy you'd want getting in extra work with the pitching staff, the other catchers, the coaching staff, and the hitting group, that's the profile."
Moises Ballesteros is a 22-year-old with minimal big league experience expected to take a designated hitter role while remaining a third-option catcher. Visa issues have delayed the arrivals of Ballesteros and veteran Christian Bethancourt, with manager Craig Counsell indicating the earliest arrival could be next weekend. The catchers were initially expected shortly but are now held up by circumstances described as largely out of the team's control. Missing more than 10 days of organized camp and the start of spring games will limit Ballesteros' opportunities for hitting work and catching preparation.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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