The Chicago Cubs have stumbled in the second half, allowing the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers to control the NL Central. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are struggling simultaneously, and they did not get the rotation help they needed at the MLB trade deadline. To top it off, catcher Miguel Amaya went down with a nasty ankle injury. But the Cubs called up someone to help their offense, top prospect Owen Caissie, per Marquee Sports Network's Taylor McGregor.

“Cubs recall Owen Caissie and place Miguel Amaya on the 10-day IL,” McGregor reported.

Amaya has been one of the Cubs' backup catchers this year, serving behind Carson Kelly, who is having a great season. They still have Reese McGuire on the roster, who will serve as the backup. That gave them the ability to call up Caissie to help pick the outfield out of their offensive funk.

Since the All-Star Break, Tucker has a .206 batting average and .644 OPS in 20 games. Crow-Armstrong has been similarly bad since starting in the Mid-Summer Classic, with a .205/.239/.398 slash line and 27 strikeouts to just two walks. Caissie is the Cubs' top prospect thanks to his .955 OPS with AAA Iowa this season.

The Cubs have fallen 7.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central race, but do hold the top Wild Card spot. Their starting rotation is a concern, so their offense has to dominate to make up for it. Tucker is going to be a free agent at the end of the year, so finding inexpensive offensive stars to fill out the lineup could be important for next season. This is a tryout for Caissie to be a mainstay on the 2026 Cubs.

If Caissie does not make his MLB debut on Thursday afternoon in Toronto, it could happen in front of the Wrigley Field crowd. Their next seven games are at home, three against the Pirates and four against the Brewers

More Chicago Cubs News
Iowa Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie during game two of an Iowa Cubs/Worcester Red Sox series at Principal Park on Aug. 13, 2025, in Des Moines.
Cubs calling up top prospect amid Blue Jays seriesTroy Finnegan ·
Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park.
Cubs’ Miguel Amaya carted off field after painful injury vs. Blue JaysJosh Davis ·
Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner (2) wearing number 23 in honor the late Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg runs after hitting an RBI-ground rule double against the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning at Wrigley Field.
1 Cubs’ player who will make or break 2025 playoff chancesZachary Howell ·
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) gestures after hitting a double against the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning at Wrigley Field.
Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong gets honest admission from MLB NetworkBenedetto Vitale ·
Aug 9, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Matt Shaw’s breakout a silver lining of Cubs’ ugly offensive slumpZachary Draves ·
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) waves to the fans before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong joins elite Ryne Sandberg club in Cardinals gameBrayden Haena ·