Injured Cubs Prospect Returns to Action in Winter Ball

Alexander Canario Returns From Injury

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Alexander Canario missed the final two months of the 2024 season after suffering a hamstring injury on July 24. There was initial hope that the 24-year-old would be able to return by the end of September, but the organization proceeded with caution and Canario sat out for the remainder of the season.

There is good news now, though, as Canario is set to return action in the Dominican Winter League. The young outfielder is back in uniform with the Aguilas Cibaenas and ready to play again after a three-month absence. The official team account posted a picture of Canario on Tuesday, adding the following caption: Outfielder Alexander Canario reported to the team today and immediately began his preparation to debut in the coming days.

Canario has been with the Cubs organization since the summer of 2021, when he was part of the Kris Bryant trade that also brought right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian to the Cubs. Canario was on the verge of getting a real shot in the majors following his breakout 2022 season, when he hit 37 home runs across three levels in the minor leagues. However, he suffered a devastating injury that offseason, which limited Canario to only 53 games in 2023.

The right-handed hitter has gotten a total of 45 plate appearances in the majors and while he’s had some success at the plate, going 12-for-42 with five extra base hits, Canario has also struck out more than 40% of his plate appearances. Regardless, that is a small sample size and it’s simply good to see Canario healthy again.

The Cubs have a stacked outfield already and that’s not even including some of the other top-rated prospects already at Triple-A, but Canario’s power could ultimately end with a few more opportunities in Chicago.

(Previous Update)

As if the major league team isn’t depressing enough to watch on a daily basis so far in 2024 the Cubs keep getting hit with injuries to their prospects in the minor leagues this season. The latest incident looked bad immediately as Alexander Canario pulled up running toward home plate and then went to the ground with his hands on his helmet during Wednesday’s Iowa Cubs game at Triple-A.

Canario, 24, has continued to show power at Triple-A, hitting 18 home runs and posting a .514 slugging % in 283 plate appearances at Iowa so far this season. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .243/.336/.514 with a 114 wRC+ in 64 games, but now it looks like Canario will be out for an extended period of time after needing to be carted into the locker room after suffering a leg injury.

The outfield prospect hasn’t had much run in the majors only getting 45 plate appearances across three call ups to the Cubs dating back to last September.

Canario was brought up in mid-April earlier this year before he was optioned back to Triple-A a couple weeks later. He was briefly up with the Cubs prior to the All-Star break after Cody Bellinger suffered a broken finger, but Canario only received three at-bats off the bench in two games before he was returned to Iowa.

During his cup of coffee in the big leagues Canario has gone 12-for-42 at the plate with a pair of home runs. However, the swing and miss has certainly been a red flag as the slugger has struck out 19 times in 45 plate appearances. Still, you’d obviously love for Canario to get more playing time at Triple-A so that he could hopefully continue his development, but now that will be put on hold with a bad-looking leg injury.

However, expect Canario to come back strong from this setback because he’s proven to overcome serious injuries in the past. When he was still a prospect in the San Francisco Giants farm system Canario underwent shoulder surgery. He recovered from that and then after a great 2022 season with the Cubs down in the minors, Canario suffered a devastating injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League that led to ankle surgery and a dislocated left shoulder. Canario bounced back from that and earned his first MLB call up by the end of the 2023 season with the Cubs.

Hoping for the best here.