MESA, Ariz. – Cubs’ catcher Austin Romine is currently being sidelined by a right knee sprain and is considered day-to-day. The Cubs’ backup catcher hasn’t played in a game since March 6 and will be out a few more days before he can return to the lineup. Romine signed a one-year deal to be the team’s backup catcher this offseason.
The Cubs don’t have a ton of depth at catcher behind Willson Contreras and Romine. The only other catcher on the 40-man roster is prospect Miguel Amaya, but it’s unlikely the team would add him to the Major League roster to be the backup and potentially hurt his development.
If Romine has to miss extended time, the Cubs have some internal catching options including PJ Higgins, Jose Lobaton and Taylor Gushue. All three catchers are non-roster invitees and would have to be added to the 40-man roster before being added to the 26-man roster.
“He just had some inflammation,” manager David Ross said. “Got him checked out, just a right knee sprain. They’re going through treatment, [he’s] feeling better each day. There’s really no timetable, we’re just trying to let it calm down a little bit and then move forward from there.
Cubs make first spring roster cuts
The Cubs assigned 22 players to minor league camp on Friday, trimming the spring roster from 73 to 51 players. Right-handers Cory Abbott, Tyson Miller and Kohl Stewart have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Right-handed pitcher Manuel Rodriguez, catcher Miguel Amaya and infielder Christopher Morel have been optioned to Double-A Tennessee.
Sixteen non-roster invitees were also assigned to minor league camp, including right-handers James Bourque, Juan Gamez, Jake Jewell, Tommy Nance, Michael Rucker and Robert Stock; left-handers Brendon Little and Jerry Vasto; catchers Taylor Gushue and Tyler Payne; infielders Abiatal Avelino, Alfonso Rivas, Chase Strumpf, Andy Weber, Patrick Wisdom and outfielder Brennen Davis.
Ross sees pros and cons to potential rule changes
Baseball has been looking for different ways to “improve” the game for the last few seasons and used various rules changes to make that happen. MLB announced several rules changes that would be implemented in the Minor Leagues this season, including larger bases, pick-off limits, defensive shift restrictions and electronic strike zones.
While the league is using the minors to experiment, some of the proposed changes are already getting attention in the big leagues.
“I loved manipulating the ball as a catcher and the framing aspect,” Ross said having robo umpires. “… the cat and mouse game and having relationships with umpires and talking about strikes and balls. That umpire dynamic was fun for me.
“I would say i’m in favor of that. I think it’s going to be something that just brings consistency to the at-bats and the pitchers. My fear is what’s the product going to look like on TV behind the plate, as somebody that took a lot of pride in that? … What are pitchers gonna do to try to hit corners of that box and stuff is the only kind of thing that’s on my radar that might be a little bit weird. But no, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
