The Chicago Cubs are facing a significant setback as they’ll be without one of their offseason acquisitions for a considerable time. Tyler Austin, the versatile first baseman and outfielder, is sidelined for “months” after undergoing surgery on his right knee’s patellar tendon, as confirmed by Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

Austin, at 34, joined the Cubs on a one-year deal in December after a successful six-year run with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. His Major League journey began in 2016 with the New York Yankees, and he spent time with the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers between 2018 and 2019. Over his MLB career, Austin has posted a .219/.292/.451 slash line, hitting 33 home runs and maintaining a .743 OPS in 583 plate appearances.

Impact on the Cubs’ Roster

Austin’s power was on full display during his NPB tenure, where he launched 85 home runs over six seasons. His absence leaves a gap in the Cubs’ roster, where he was poised to provide valuable bench depth.

In light of Austin’s injury, the Cubs will need to explore other options to back up first baseman Michael Busch. One promising candidate is 22-year-old Moises Ballesteros, who now has a chance to step up. Additionally, outfielder Michael Conforto, a recent minor league signing, could also be in the mix to fill Austin’s spot.

The Cubs will need to navigate these challenges carefully as they adjust their lineup and strategy moving forward.