Tyler Austin, a Chicago Cubs player, will be out for many months following knee surgery, dashing his hopes of returning to Major League Baseball after six years in Japan. The 34-year-old underwent patellar tendon debridement surgery on Tuesday. In December, he signed a one-year contract with the Cubs worth $1.25 million and was expected to be an important backup at first base and as a right-handed hitter. His injury opens up opportunities for other players competing for a spot on the team's reserve roster.

Austin's Multi-Month Absence

Tyler Austin will be sidelined for many months following surgical procedure on his right knee (patellar tendon debridement). Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed this information in a Wednesday media briefing. The injury shatters the player's plans, who after six seasons in Japan had a chance to return to MLB.

Loss of Reserve Roster Spot

Austin, who signed a one-year contract with the Cubs in December for $1.25 million, was favored to secure a spot on the reserve roster as a backup first baseman and right-handed hitter. His lengthy absence forces the club to change plans for the preseason and seek other options to fill the gap.

Opportunity for Other Cubs Players

Austin's injury creates opportunities for other players competing for a spot on the Chicago Cubs roster for the upcoming season. Among potential beneficiaries of the situation are Michael Conforto and other players who could vie for the designated hitter role or backup first baseman position.

Six years after leaving Major League Baseball and a successful stint in Japan, Tyler Austin had a chance to return to the highest level of competition. A $1.25 million contract with the Chicago Cubs and a spot on the 40-man roster suggested the club seriously considered his potential as a right-handed hitter and backup first baseman. However, these plans fell apart after the player's knee surgery on Tuesday. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed on Wednesday that Austin underwent debridement surgery on his right patellar tendon and will be sidelined for many months. For the 34-year-old player, who shone in recent years in Nippon Professional Baseball with a .289 batting average, 94 home runs, and 268 RBI, such a break means a serious delay in achieving his goal of returning to MLB. This injury is particularly painful considering the MLB season starts in a month, and Austin had a real chance of securing a spot on the team's reserve roster, supporting Michael Busch at first base and providing depth on the bench. Tyler Austin made a name for himself in MLB in 2016, debuting for the New York Yankees. In his first game on August 13, 2016, alongside Aaron Judge, they formed a unique duo, becoming the first teammates in league history to hit home runs in their first major league at-bats during the same game. After years with the Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers, Austin moved to Japan, where he played for six seasons for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, achieving significant success there.Now, with plans for Austin changed, manager Craig Counsell and the Cubs coaching staff must adjust their roster plans for the upcoming season. The injury opens doors for other players competing for limited spots on the roster. Among potential candidates is Michael Conforto, who could vie for the designated hitter role. The club must also consider whether to seek a replacement on the free agent market or rely on internal options. For Austin, a difficult rehabilitation period begins, during which he will fight to return to full fitness, aware that in baseball, especially for a player his age, any long break can mean losing the chance to continue his career at the highest level.

Mentioned People

  • Tyler Austin — Chicago Cubs baseball player who suffered a knee injury.
  • Craig Counsell — Chicago Cubs manager who announced Austin's injury.
  • Michael Busch — Chicago Cubs first baseman whom Tyler Austin was supposed to support.
  • Aaron Judge — New York Yankees player with whom Austin made his MLB debut.