Canario has memorable night by belting grand slam for first HR

CHICAGO -- Alexander Canario was not sure what his future held last offseason. He was recovering from a pair of serious injury setbacks sustained in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, facing a long road back to a baseball field.

On Tuesday night, Canario trotted around the bases at Wrigley Field, where his grand slam in the eighth inning helped the Cubs roar to a 14-1 rout of the Pirates. It was the rookie’s first career home run and played a role in igniting the final homestand of Chicago’s late push toward the playoffs.

“It’s surreal. I really have no words,” Canario said via team translator Fredy Quevedo. “Just to think back, in January I was in a boot and I was on a scooter to move around. And now I hit a grand slam in the big leagues. It’s just a surreal moment.”

In late October last fall, Canario broke his left ankle and dislocated his left shoulder in a freak accident while running the bases in the D.R. The injuries came after Canario -- acquired from the Giants as part of the deal for Kris Bryant at the 2021 Trade Deadline -- enjoyed an offensive breakout that summer.

Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Cubs’ No. 14 prospect, the 23-year-old Canario has spent the bulk of September in the Major Leagues following an impressive comeback this year. He has not played much for the North Siders -- getting just one at-bat on Sept. 6 against San Francisco’s Camilo Doval -- as manager David Ross has leaned on his regulars amid the postseason chase.

“That’s part of being a young guy,” Ross said.

Prior to Tuesday’s win, the Cubs placed third baseman Nick Madrigal on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring injury. With Christopher Morel getting the nod at third and lefty Bailey Falter starting for the Pirates, Ross gave Canario a start as the designated hitter in the No. 9 slot.

“He slid in there and did a really nice job,” Ross said. “Part of working your way up as a young guy -- you’ve got to prove yourself or wait your turn sometimes. It happens to everybody. Only the greats ever get to come in and really establish themselves and play right away. His future is bright ahead of him.”

Canario’s first career hit arrived in the sixth inning, when he ripped a Quinn Priester fastball to left with a 104.4 mph exit velocity, per Statcast. Left fielder Bryan Reynolds lost his footing, allowing the rocket shot to sail over him to give the rookie a run-scoring double.

That was a glimpse into the kind of slugger Canario has been in the Minors for the Cubs.

Across three levels in 2022, Canario hit .252 with 37 homers, 97 RBIs and an .899 OPS in 125 games, reaching Triple-A Iowa. The offseason injuries kept him out of game action until mid-June, but Canario was back in Iowa by July. In 36 games with the I-Cubs this season, he slashed .276/.342/.524 with eight homers, 12 doubles and 35 RBIs.

In the eighth inning on Tuesday night, things were unraveling on the Pirates, leading to a bases-loaded situation with one out. Cubs pitcher Javier Assad was in the dugout next to Morel and catcher Miguel Amaya, as Canario stepped into the box to face Kyle Nicolas.

“They actually called it,” Assad said via Quevedo. “They said, ‘There’s a home run here -- just watch.’”

Canario attacked a 1-2 slider, sending a towering drive through raindrops and deep into the bleachers in left-center. The rookie pounded his chest as he rounded first base. In the dugout, Morel went wild and ripped off his own jersey. Amaya jumped over the railing and onto the field as he celebrated.

“The story of the night was Canario,” Ross said. “That’s pretty awesome.”

“It’s incredible,” said the young outfielder. “It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of.”