CHICAGO -- The Cubs have a few areas they could aim to improve in the weeks and days leading up to the Trade Deadline. In Saturday's 11-1 loss to the Marlins, the need for more depth behind two-time National League All-Star catcher Willson Contreras was clear.

While manager David Ross has praised veteran Jose Lobaton for the experience he brings to the table, Lobaton's presence as Chicago's backup catcher represents Plan D. Multiple setbacks have forced the Cubs to cycle through reserves and contributed to Contreras' heavy workload.

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"We've just had a lot of guys go down, right?" Ross said Sunday morning at Wrigley Field. "That is just part of this season. It feels like the injuries have piled up on us, and there are going to be times that those show. Right now, that's showing in a lot of different areas for us."

Following the offseason trade that shipped Victor Caratini to the Padres, the Cubs' plan for this year was to use Austin Romine as their main backup. Romine appeared in six games for Chicago and currently resides on the 60-day injured list due to a left wrist injury, and there has been no notable updates on his progress.

Plan B was Tony Wolters, who hit .125 in 14 games for the Cubs and is back at Triple-A Iowa and off the 40-man roster. After Wolters, Chicago gave rookie P.J. Higgins a shot. He went 1-for-23 and is now on the 60-day IL with a right forearm injury.

Miguel Amaya (No. 3 on MLB Pipeline's Cubs prospects list) is currently on the Minor League IL with an undisclosed injury, and he has not played for Double-A Tennessee since June 3.

"What are we, four backup catchers down the line?" Ross said. "You're going to be a little bit thin."

On Saturday, Lobaton was behind the plate for a rough three-inning start by Jake Arrieta, and they combined to allow four stolen bases. The 36-year-old Lobaton was also charged with a passed ball (paving the way for a Miami run) and had a miscommuncation moment with third baseman Kris Bryant that allowed a pop-up to drop in front of the plate for a run-scoring single in the fifth.

Collectively, Chicago's backups have hit .079 (5-for-63) this season with a 16.7 percent caught-stealing rate. Contreras, meanwhile, entered Sunday leading MLB in innings caught, had a 105 wRC+ and had thrown out runners at a 24 percent clip.

"He brings so many intangibles and value to this team," Ross said of Contreras. "Controlling the running game, even with guys that may be a little bit slower to the plate. It allows them the freedom to have a little bit more of a leg kick [and to] stay in rhythm in their delivery."

Worth noting
• Middle infielder Nico Hoerner (10-day IL, left hamstring) went through running and agility work Sunday morning, following full pregame workouts the previous two days. Ross said Hoerner is on pace for a Minor League rehab assignment in the next week to 10 days.

• Right-hander Adbert Alzolay (10-day IL, blister on right middle finger) remains on target to be activated Monday to start against Cleveland in the opener of a two-game series.

Quotable
"Anytime you get to celebrate family, especially Mother's Day and Father's Day, it's just special. Being a dad, the kids sent me a couple dozen doughnuts this morning. So I put that in the food room for all the guys. It's just special." -- Ross, on Father's Day