Alexander Canario Being Promoted, Corresponding Move Not Yet Known

As first reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and subsequently confirmed by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs are promoting outfielder Alexander Canario. Rogers shared the news during a segment on ESPN 1000 this morning, but he did not have information on exactly why the Cubs are bringing the young slugger up to the big club. Until we know for sure, the fear is that someone is hitting the IL.

Ian Happ is 0-for-18 with six strikeouts in his last five games and could be battling through something that a little rest would alleviate. Unless another outfielder got hurt boarding the Cubs’ flight to Phoenix, that’s all that really stands out. The other possibility is that the Cubs are demoting someone to clear a spot for Canario.

Mike Tauchman hasn’t been hitting particularly well, though his .382 OBP makes it hard to believe he’s being sent down. While Miles Mastrobuoni has only gotten eight total plate appearances and has made just one start, it seems odd on the surface to replace him with Canario. First, there’s no point in calling up a dynamic young player and then having him sit the whole time. Second, Patrick Wisdom is a better fit from a strictly positional standpoint.

Unless, of course, the Cubs plan to use Canario in the DH rotation rather than Tauchman. I’ll hedge my bets and say it’s either Happ to the IL or Mastrobuoni to the minors, now watch it be something else entirely.