Chicago Cubs utility player Tyler Austin faces an extended absence from the baseball diamond after undergoing knee surgery, team manager Craig Counsell announced on Wednesday. The recovery timeline is expected to span several months.
The 34-year-old veteran inked a one-year deal worth a reported $1.25 million this past December, marking his return to Major League Baseball. Austin had spent the previous six seasons competing professionally in Japan with the Yokohama team, where he compiled impressive statistics including a .289 batting average, 94 home runs, and 268 runs batted in.
Austin’s previous MLB experience spans from 2016 through 2019, during which he appeared in 209 games across multiple franchises. His major league career includes stints with the New York Yankees from 2016-2018, followed by time with the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers through 2019. During that period, he maintained a .219 batting average while contributing 33 home runs and 91 RBIs.
The injured player was expected to serve as a backup option behind first baseman Michael Busch while also providing additional depth in the outfield during spring training competition.
