No. 14 prospect Canario joins big league club

CINCINNATI -- It was a long road back for Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario. After dislocating his left shoulder and breaking his left ankle running the bases in the Dominican Winter League, Canario worked hard to get back to health. Now, he is a big leaguer for the first time after getting called up before Friday’s game against the Reds.

Canario, the Cubs' No. 14 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, returned to action in the middle of the season and slashed .276/.342/.524 with eight home runs for Triple-A Iowa. His power potential is well known; in 2022, he slugged 37 home runs across three Minor League levels in the Cubs' system. Canario is expected to come off the bench for the Major League squad.

“I’m super happy, super excited. I thank God for the opportunity. Whatever the team needs, I’ll be there,” Canario said through interpreter Fredy Quevedo.

“He is swinging the bat well," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "He is on the 40-man roster. We are excited to have him up here. He is a really good player, Great kid. He has earned it. What a horrible rehab to go through after such a special season last year.”

For Canario, it seemed like yesterday that he was in a walking boot, not sure if he would play baseball again.

“Everything kind of played out. It was really incredible,” he said. “I never doubted that I was going to achieve [this promotion]. When I got injured, I had the thoughts in my mind that I might not play again, but eventually, I talked to the doctors and here we are at this point. Thank God for everything right now.”

Canario recovered in Arizona near the Cubs’ Spring Training facility. He was pleased to have his family, including his mother, by his side.

“It was a tough time. I kept saying to myself, ‘This is a process and this will pass,’” Canario said. “I had my mother there with me. I couldn’t do a lot of things for myself during that time. … She helped me out during that time."