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 was a pretty logical choice for us,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “BJ’s put himself in the conversation, maybe this whole month, really, when considering if we wanted to bring up another bat at some point. He’s had a consistent, wonderful season at Triple-A and has earned a chance.”
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 to help the bullpen, and selected the contract of the 26-year-old Murray to add a layer of depth on the position-player side of things.
Murray said he had “no idea” the call to the big leagues was coming. He was preparing to travel with Iowa to Columbus, Ohio, for their next series when the news arrived that he needed to instead get to Chicago.
“I had to change those plans,” Murray said on Tuesday. “My dad was just as excited as I was. Everybody was making a lot of noise on the phone. It was sick. They’ve been with me this whole time, so it’s cool to have them experience this with me.”
Counsell slotted Murray into the starting lineup of Tuesday's 9-4 loss as the Cubs’ designated hitter in the eighth spot of the order. The rookie said his parents were in the stands for his first game for the North Siders.
Murray recorded his first career hit in the seventh inning, an infield single.
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.
“It’s pretty cool,” Murray said. “I know everybody in the Bahamas is rooting for me. It’s like they’re here with me tonight and I’m going to try to make the most of it. I’m going to go do this for the kids coming behind me.”
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.
“He’s had a really good year,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said on Tuesday. “It was fun, he was here yesterday and it was fun to see the smile on his face. I’m excited for him. He deserves it. He’s had a good year and he can help us. That’s what you kind of tell all those guys. Contribute to winning. Do the little things you can. We’re not depending on him, but when you get in a game, just contribute to winning and enjoy it.”