Cubs recall Kevin Alcántara for MLB debut, option Miles Mastrobuoni

PHILADELPHIA – The Cubs had already discussed the possibility of calling up outfielder Kevin Alcántara late in the season. He was on the 40-man roster and finished the Triple-A season with flying colors. But there was a problem.

“Suspension of someone for missing a game made no sense,” President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said Wednesday. “There was no playing time.”

That changed when designated hitter/right fielder Seiya Suzuki sprained his ankle while rounding the bases in the Cubs' 10-4 win over the Phillies on Tuesday. Suzuki's condition is being assessed on a day-to-day basis, but the team saw an opportunity.

Before Wednesday's game, they sent all-around player Miles Mastrobuoni to the Arizona Complex League training camp and recalled Alcántara.

Manager Craig Counsell inserted Alcántara into the starting lineup, where he batted ninth and played right field in his MLB debut.

“You have to look at the whole game,” Hoyer said. “He's a really good defender no matter where you put him. He's a really good all-around player. I think he had a really good year. And it's nice to give him a little taste (of the big leagues) at the end of the year.”

Alcántara, 22, is the Cubs' most promising prospect and the No. 69 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.