Alex Avila Ready To Step In

With the hamstring injury to Willson Contreras, Alex Avila trade becomes even more important.

Alex Avila after going yard(Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune)

On July 31st Theo Epstein dealt Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes and a PTBNL to the Detroit Tigers for LHP Justin Wilson and C Alex Avila. When the Cubs hottest hitter and starting catcher Willson Contreras sustained a hamstring injury Wednesday against the Nationals, that move became all that more important.

Avila will now be asked to step in and be the starting catcher for the defending world champions. Victor Caratini has been called up from Iowa to back Avila up and fill the roster spot that Contreras will vacate when he is placed on the disabled list. Initial speculation is that Contreras will miss a month. Hamstrings can be tricky and as such makes it very difficult to say when he will actually be back at full speed. Best case scenario would be for the final two weeks of the regular season. With the Cubs in the heat of a four team pennant race, the play of Avila is going to be important. The Cubs currently have a one game lead over the Cardinals, two games over the Brewers, and a three game lead over the Pirates.

Since coming over from Detroit, Avila has been catching Jake Arrieta and giving Willy a day off when needed. Avila has only had nine at bats as a Cub and his only hit is a homerun. He’s walked once and struck out three times. For the season he has been a 2.1 WAR player. He does have 12 homeruns between the Tigers and Cubs.

Avila is an experienced backstop and will bring a professional attitude to the situation.

“We just got to pick up the slack,” Avila said. “I’m not sure how long, but that’s part of the game. Unfortunately, you play hard and sometimes you get hurt, and you have to deal with injuries.” — Alex Avila per Patrick Mooney “I’ve caught most of the guys already and I feel comfortable with most of them already,” Avila said. “It usually doesn’t take me too long to feel pretty comfortable with a pitcher back there, as far as receiving. Overall — as far as the game-planning and everything like that — it’s been not that much different than I’m used to. It’s been a smooth transition.” — Alex Avila per Patrick Mooney

Avila will get his first start tonight since the injury to Contreras as the Cubs will face Taijuan Walker and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field . Avila has had some success against Walker. He is 3–6 with three homeruns and six RBI’s against the right hander.

Victor Caratini(Iowa Cubs via Flickr)

Victor Caratini made his major league debut in June. He has appeared in 28 games. He has been a -0.1 WAR player. His slash line is an anemic .192/.250/.385. He has had 2 doubles and one homerun. He will now get extended time in Chicago. He has slashed .344/.387/.557 at Iowa with 10 HR’s and 59 RBI’s. He has not yet been able to carry that offensive output over against major league pitching. He was selected to the PCL all-star game and a Futures game selection this year.

Koji Uehara(Keith Allison via Flickr)

Lost in the aftermath of the injury to Willson Contreras is that Koji Uehara is also gone to the DL with a stiff neck. Justin Grimm is replacing him in the bullpen.

‘‘We just want to make sure that we calm it down,’’ Maddon said. ‘‘He’s so important to us moving forward. . . . Looking to play in September and October, we want him to be well.’’ — Joe Maddon per Gordon Wittenmyer

Upcoming Schedule:

August 11–13 @ Arizona Diamond backs

August 14–17 vs. Cincinnati Reds

August 18–20 vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Doug Preszler is the type of person who can be a Cubs fan and an Iowa fan while living in South Dakota. He is a man who cares not for regional loyalty. He can be found on Twitter @PreszlerDoug, telling tales of the Dakotan Cubs fan’s existence.