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Out · expected back around Feb 1
Austin underwent right knee surgery in March, though it's currently unclear where he's at in his rehab. He'll remain with the organization but is no longer a member of the 40-man roster following Monday's transaction.
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Austin (knee) was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
Austin underwent right knee surgery in March, though it's currently unclear where he's at in his rehab. He'll remain with the organization but is no longer a member of the Cubs' 40-man roster following Monday's transaction.
RotoWire via ESPN · 4d ago
The Cubs placed Austin (knee) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Austin underwent a patellar tendon debridement procedure on his right knee in February. He remains without a return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL ensures he'll remain out until at least late May. His spot on the 40-man roster will be handed to Dylan Carlson, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move.
RotoWire via ESPN · Mar 25
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Austin underwent a patellar tendon debridement procedure on his right knee Tuesday and will be out for "months," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Austin hasn't appeared in the majors since 2019, but after a successful run in Japan with the Yokohama Bay Stars over the last six seasons, he joined the Cubs on a one-year deal over the winter and appeared to have the inside track on a reserve role with Chicago. However, with Austin having since required knee surgery, he'll be ticketed for an extended stint on the injured list. The Cubs likely won't have a clearer target date for Austin's return until weeks down the road, when he'll be further along in the rehab process.
RotoWire via ESPN · Feb 25
Austin signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Since taking his last MLB at-bat in 2019, Austin has spent the past six seasons playing in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball. After posting a .945 OPS during his time overseas, the 34-year-old will now return stateside to join the Cubs and could work as a platoon partner with Moises Ballesteros at designated hitter.
RotoWire via ESPN · Dec 18
Austin signed a one-year contract with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Austin split time with Minnesota, Milwaukee and San Francisco during the 2019 campaign, struggling to a .188 average with nine homers and 24 RBI over 89 games. He'll take his talents overseas for at least the next year, though a return to the MLB certainly can't be ruled out at this point.
RotoWire via ESPN · Nov 14
Austin declined his outright assignment Friday and elected free agency.
Austin spent time with the Twins, Giants and Brewers last season without much success, hitting .188/.296/.409 in 179 plate appearances. With a career .219/.292/.451 slash line, he's good enough to have a shot to earn a roster spot somewhere this offseason but shouldn't be considered a lock to do so.
RotoWire via ESPN · Nov 1