Cubs offseason addition Austin out for months after knee surgery

MESA, Ariz. – When the Cubs signed Tyler Austin over the offseason, the team viewed him as a solid backup option behind first baseman Michael Busch and a hitter who could serve as a bench piece against lefty pitching. Chicago is now examining its contingency plans for those sections on the depth chart.

On Wednesday morning, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that Austin underwent right knee surgery on Tuesday and would be out “months” as he recovers. The 34-year-old Austin required a right patellar tendon debridement procedure after his knee “didn’t respond well” in early camp workouts.

“It’s opportunity for others,” Counsell said. “I would say he had an inside track [for an Opening Day job], and it’s an option that’s off the table right now. So, it opens up opportunity for others.”

Austin had not played in the Major Leagues since 2019, but he had compiled an impressive offensive track record with Yokohama in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan since heading overseas in ‘20. Last year, he hit .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers, 14 doubles and 28 RBIs in 65 games.

Counsell said earlier this spring that the Cubs’ internal models projected Austin as a solid fit for the kind of backup role the team had in mind behind Busch. The Cubs signed him to a one-year, $1.25 million contract, giving him a Major League roster spot and chance to stick as a versus-lefties weapon.

Without Austin for the foreseeable future, the Cubs will rotate multiple players through first base as options behind Busch. Catcher Moisés Ballesteros will get work at first base. Catcher Miguel Amaya has some experience at the position, and Counsell did not rule out having super utility man Matt Shaw getting some action there as another possibility.

First base prospect Jonathon Long – who offers a right-handed bat like Austin – could also be an option at some point.

“You kind of go through this exercise in Spring Training,” Counsell said, “of like backup plans on top of backup plans. You just can’t be covered, ideally, in every single situation. This may change, where we have [an area] we’re very deep to a place we’re not very deep.

“But Johnny Long is still a good option. Whether he’s with the big league team or whether he’s in Triple-A, he’s a day away.”

WICKS SLOWED BY INJURY

Left-hander Jordan Wicks – a depth piece behind the rotation and bullpen candidates – has been slowed recently by left forearm inflammation, according to Counsell.

Counsell noted that an MRI on Wicks’ throwing arm showed no concerns with the lefty’s ulnar collateral ligament. Wicks has taken the previous five days off from throwing, but the manager was optimistic that the pitcher might be cleared to resume playing catch within the next few days.

“He’s responding well,” Counsell said. “In terms of length of time down, we’re probably still looking at days down, not weeks.”

CLASSIC DECISION LOOMS FOR LONG

Long was forced to leave Saturday’s Cactus League game early due to a collision with Texas’ Mark Canha at first base. The Cubs prospect (No. 6 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the team at the end of ‘25) was diagnosed with a left elbow sprain, but he has slowly introduced more activity over the past few days.

Counsell said Long will need to make a decision soon about participating in the World Baseball Classic as planned with Chinese Taipei. The manager said the recovery has been going “a little more slowly” than initially hoped for the 24-year-old prospect.

CABRERA DEBUT COMING SOON

Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Marlins over the offseason, is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Guardians. So far this spring, the Cubs have had Cabrera on a conservative program as he acclimated to his new team and coaching staff.

QUOTABLE

“I think his velocity is a little bit of a big deal. If you kind of go back in the game logs of Shota, that’s kind of the high end of his velocity in any game log -- Spring Training or regular season. So, that’s always encouraging. I think it’s a sign that you’re feeling really good. I think it’s a sign that your offseason went really well. You feel good about adjustments you’ve made. I was very encouraged by Shota’s appearance.” – Counsell, on Shota Imanaga’s uptick in velocity in Tuesday’s start