Cubs Are Making a Surprise Call Up

Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about this. Feels kinda weird and I can’t help but think that there’s an injury we don’t quite know about just yet because according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers the Chicago Cubs are calling up outfield prospect Alexander Canario from Triple-A.

Canario was one of the final roster cuts in spring training and while I did want to see him on the roster over a guy like Nick Madrigal, I as most Cubs fans, obviously understood Madrigal’s value on defense backing up Christopher Morel at third base. Anyway, Canario still only 23-years-old, is off to another good start with the Iowa Cubs, slashing .269/.377/.481, with a pair of home runs and a 123 wRC+ in 13 games to begin the season at Triple-A.

The Cubs called up Canario at the end of August last year, but then for some reason David Ross refused to play the right-handed slugger down the stretch. Canario had a total of 17 plate appearances in the big leagues, only starting four games in his first cup of coffee in the majors.

Again, you have to imagine that Canario is coming up because of an injury on the roster. You obviously hope that it’s not one of the outfielders. Cody Bellinger is off to a slow start, only slashing .172/.269/.293, in 17 games. His current cold streak is at 1 for his last 19 at-bats and that was his infield single in the first inning of Sunday’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners. Could Bellinger’s bad start be linked to a nagging injury?

Is it Seiya Suzuki? When did he get hurt? Ian Happ also looked terrible in Seattle, something up with him?

I think right now if the Cubs are only calling up Canario, then you start thinking about the outfield. Otherwise, the Cubs would probably just activate Patrick Wisdom from his rehab assignment. He could either fill in for a guy like Garrett Cooper, if he’s dealing with something or be an option at third base if Morel is injured.

By the way, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has talked about Morel dealing with a finger issue.

Morel went 0-for-12 with four strikeouts and generally looked off in the series against the Mariners. Lots of pop ups and it got me thinking back to Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.

In the fourth inning, Morel fouled off a pitch from Dylan Cease and then hopped away in some pain, shaking his right hand.

Not great! Still, no word on any official move from the Cubs.

OK, some clarification, Jesse Rogers apparently did mention that Canario is likely replacing an outfielder.

Regardless of who it is, this is not good news for the Cubs.