On a recent Wednesday night, Chicago Cubs major-league coach Jonathan Mota joined Moisés Ballesteros at his locker to help him process a tough situation. The 22-year-old learned the Cubs were optioning him and recalling outfielder Justin Dean. “Of course, he was sad, bothered,” Mota shared. “That’s normal, because no one wants to be sent to the minor leagues.” Mota, sharing Venezuelan roots with Ballesteros, aimed to alleviate the disappointment for a typically confident player.
Mota explained Ballesteros’ move wasn’t performance-related, saying, “He needs to play, and right now, he’s not playing daily. He’s going to benefit from playing.” Ballesteros had attracted attention with an impressive start, hitting .400 after participating in an April 24 game in Los Angeles. However, his performance slipped, with a .139 average across 36 games. The Cubs decided regular playtime in Iowa might help him regain his form.
Meanwhile, Matt Shaw, recently back from the injured list, went 6-for-19 since June 9, showing strong form. He replaced Seiya Suzuki in right field after Suzuki moved to designated hitter due to a knee issue. The Cubs defeated the Blue Jays 16-2, showcasing their offensive capability. Suzuki contributed significantly, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented on Ballesteros’ situation, stating that his batting didn’t justify designated hitter at-bats. According to Counsell, “He caught well enough that we want him to catch more, and that needs to happen in Triple A right now.” The Cubs’ dominant performance on Friday, where they managed seven runs in the first inning alone, demonstrated their offensive improvement.
Carson Kelly’s grand slam and the team’s four walks against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman highlighted their prowess. Counsell emphasized the discipline his team showed against Gausman, stating, “We made him come in the zone and we laid off the split down and laid off the slider away. That’s important.”
The Cubs average 6.5 runs over their last eight games, a marked improvement from the 3.21 runs over the previous 29 games. Pete Crow-Armstrong credited ongoing efforts to maintain momentum, having extended his on-base streak with a stellar performance.
With Ben Brown starting, Cubs gained strong pitching support. Brown delivered six innings, giving up just two runs with four strikeouts. His streak of 66.2 innings without allowing a home run ended with George Springer’s homer. Brown’s season ERA now stands at 1.85, a rare bright spot for a pitching staff challenged by injuries.
Kelly emphasized Brown’s aggressiveness as a positive influence on the team. In the blowout, Justin Dean found an opportunity to play, making an impact with a three-run triple. It marked his first major-league hit, a significant achievement for the 29-year-old. Celebrating his hit, Dean expressed his intent to cherish the moment with his family.
Andy Martinez reports as a freelance journalist for the Chicago Tribune.
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