CHICAGO -- In the pregame hours on Monday night, Pete Crow-Armstrong headed down a hallway toward the Cubs’ indoor cage at Wrigley Field, showing BJ Murray Jr. the way as they chatted. Later on, Murray joined Chicago’s hitters for batting practice on the field.
Murray was not officially on the Cubs’ active roster -- that step arrived on Tuesday when rosters expanded around the big leagues -- but he was at the ballpark to get an early taste of what lies ahead for the infield prospect. With a standout showing for Triple-A Iowa, Murray put himself on the radar to make his Major League debut for a team chasing down a playoff spot.
“BJ is going to be active tomorrow,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said prior to Monday night’s game against the Brewers. “We just brought him here a day early to get the lay of the land and acclimate himself. He’s had a tremendous Minor League season. He’s done great and has put himself into a conversation for a while now. So, I’m happy for him.”
Rosters around MLB expanded to 28 players from 26 on Tuesday, with teams able to add one position player and an additional pitcher for the final month. The North Siders recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Ferguson, while bringing in the 26-year-old Murray to add a layer of depth on the position-player side of things.
Murray – ranked No. 19 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs – will become the 10th player born in the Bahamas to play in the Major Leagues after he makes his debut for Chicago. He will become the second Bahamian player in Cubs history, joining Andre Rodgers, who suited up for the North Siders from 1961-64.
The Cubs selected Murray in the 15th round of the 2021 Draft and he has developed into a versatile player in his steady climb to the cusp of the Majors. A switch-hitter, Murray plays both first and third base but also has experience in the outfield. In both ‘23 and ‘26, he suited up for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
In 118 games this year for Iowa, Murray slashed .294/.395/.500 with 16 home runs, 24 doubles, nine triples, 68 RBIs, 69 walks and 74 runs scored. He posted near-identical splits against lefties (.398 on-base and .500 slugging) and righties (.395 OBP and .501 SLG) this season, while garnering starts at first (42 games), third (34), designated hitter (31) and left field (10).
The Cubs already have a super-utility man on the roster in Matt Shaw, who offers insurance around the infield and outfield. With shortstop Dansby Swanson on the 10-day IL (left oblique strain), the versatile Pedro Ramírez has manned second with second baseman Nico Hoerner sliding over to short. While both Shaw and Ramírez can play first base -- offering backup options to Michael Busch -- Murray can provide another potential solution to that reserve role.