During Wednesday’s game in Toronto, Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya was transported off the playing field after a painful fall as he attempted to reach first base.
In the eighth inning of Chicago’s 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Amaya hit a soft ground ball and sprinted toward first. He managed to outrun the throw and was initially declared safe, but he seemed to stumble over the base, causing him to fall awkwardly.
He immediately recoiled and remained on the ground for a considerable time, showing clear signs of distress.
Eventually, he was taken off the field on a cart, covering his face with a towel and visibly upset.
Following the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell reported that Amaya had been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, although X-rays came back negative. He will be placed back on the injured list, with the duration of his absence uncertain.
Before his injury on Wednesday, Amaya had recently returned to the field after an extended period on the injured list due to an oblique strain. He had been sidelined since May 25 and was reactivated on Tuesday. In Wednesday’s game, his first since returning, he maintained a .280 batting average with four home runs and 25 RBI this season. He recorded one hit in three at-bats.
After Amaya’s departure, the Cubs secured the three-run win. Cubs rookie pitcher Cade Horton maintained a no-hitter until the sixth inning, resulting in 29 consecutive shutout innings, the longest streak of the season. The Blue Jays broke Horton’s no-hit bid in the sixth and also scored, ending his streak.
The win ended a two-game losing streak for Chicago and marked their third win in the last eight games. The Cubs have a 68-57 record and are in second place in the NL Central, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers — who achieved their 12th consecutive win earlier on Wednesday — by 7.5 games.
The Cubs and Blue Jays will conclude their three-game series on Thursday in Toronto. Afterward, the Cubs will return home for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed by a five-game set with the Brewers next week at Wrigley Field, providing an opportunity to significantly reduce their NL Central deficit.
