The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday that Miguel Montero would be placed on the disabled list. This move was retroactive on Monday, meaning he can be activated as soon as April 10. Montero was scratched from the lineup late on Tuesday evening with lower back pain. He underwent an MRI and the result was just mild inflammation. The stint on the DL should just be precautionary to let the inflammation subside throughout the next couple weeks. Montero has had issues like this before, and spent some time on the DL back when he played with the Diamondbacks.
The Cubs catching position has been split so far this season between Montero and veteran David Ross, and it appears this is how the splits will be for most of the season. Miguel Montero, who has started twelve games and made an appearance in one, is currently hitting .208 with three doubles and a home run. He’s also driven six runs and scored seven times. He has also thrown out one runner in nine opportunities.
In the absence of the Cubs main catcher, David Ross’ starts will increase, and the Cubs have also called up Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Iowa. David Ross is currently hitting .269 with two home runs and five runs batted in in his nine games played. Federowicz has played eleven games at Iowa, which has resulted in a .303 batting average. He has hit a single home run, along with four doubles. He has also driven in six runs and has thrown out a batter on five attempts.
The Cubs also have a top catching prospect in Willson Contreras at Iowa, but he didn’t get the call quite this early in the season. The Cubs seem to want him to develop more in the minors before he gets the promotion, but many believe it is coming soon.
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