The Chicago Cubs will be without top star for a bit, as the utility player is expected to land on the 10-day injured list due to an oblique injury.
veteran star, who has missed the team’s last three games, will be replaced on the roster by top prospect, who has been called up from the minors. Top star could make his MLB debut at Wrigley Field in the second game of the Cubs’ series against the Miami Marlins.
“Breaking News – The Cubs will call up C/DH from Triple-A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue,” Bruce Levine of The 670 Score reported on X Monday night.
Ballesteros has experience at catcher and first base in the minors, but may not play either position immediately. Carson Kelly, currently behind the plate, has been outstanding with a 1.114 OPS in the 2025 season, while Michael Busch is hitting .267/.353/.533 over his last five games at first base.
That said, Michael Busch struggled in Monday’s 5-2 win over Miami, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout. This opens the door for Moisés Ballesteros to potentially take on the designated hitter role. The Cubs rank just 16th in MLB this season with a 100 wRC+ from the DH spot. Justin Turner, who has seen time there, is batting only .155, while Seiya Suzuki—Chicago’s most frequent DH—is slashing .245/.306/.510.
No matter where Ballesteros ends up playing, fans will be eager to see him take his first at-bat. The 21-year-old from Venezuela has impressed throughout his minor league career, hitting .288/.371/.459 with 50 home runs and 218 RBIs. He’s been especially hot in 2025 with Triple-A Iowa, batting .368/.420/.522 with four homers and 18 RBIs in 34 games (150 plate appearances).
The Cubs will be hoping Ballesteros can help make up for the offensive production lost with Ian Happ sidelined. So far this season, the 30-year-old Happ is hitting .269/.364/.381 with three home runs, 19 RBIs, and a 114 OPS+.