It was an injury-riddled season for Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya in 2025.

He first landed on the injured list on May 25 due to an oblique strain he suffered one day before. Amaya then wound up missing almost three months while he continued to rehab that oblique strain.

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After missing 11 weeks due to that injury, the 26-year-old was finally activated from the IL on August 12 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He appeared in his first game one day later and went 1-for-3 at the plate.

In that same game, though, Amaya suffered another injury that would unfortunately end his season. The Cubs catcher hit a slow chopper toward Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette in the top of the eighth inning with a runner on second.

With Amaya’s adrenaline pumping in his first game back, he sprinted as fast as he could down the line to beat out that grounder. As he stepped on first base, it looked like he hyperextended his leg. He eventually fell to the ground, left the game on a cart, and was placed on the 15-day IL one day later due to an ankle sprain.

Amaya suffered two separate injuries during the 2025 campaign, which resulted in a devastating year for the young catcher. He only played in 28 games and appeared in just one game in the second half of the season.

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However, Cubs fans shouldn’t forget what Amaya brings to this team when healthy.

He broke out in the second half of the 2024 season and should form a nice one-two tandem with Carson Kelly behind the plate next year. Amaya hit an impressive .274 with four home runs, seven doubles, and 26 RBI in his final 35 games of that season.

The 26-year-old was also off to a nice start in 2025, as he slashed .281/.314/.500 with four home runs, nine doubles, and 25 RBI in just 103 plate appearances (28 games). Those numbers could have helped Amaya finish with 12-plus home runs, 20-plus doubles, and 60-plus RBI if not for his injuries.

While Cubs fans assume that Kelly will resume his lead catcher duties, Amaya brings an impactful bat as well. He will see his fair share of at-bats in this lineup, and fans should be excited about it.

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Amaya has shown massive signs of improvement offensively in each of the past two seasons. Now, the Cubs are hoping he can take that next step with Kelly in the final year of his deal. The catcher figures to be a key part of Chicago’s offense in 2026.