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WASHINGTON — Double-A Tennessee manager Michael Ryan told catcher Miguel Amaya he needed to talk with him about the week’s itinerary.
Amaya abandoned his grocery shopping and met Ryan in the hotel in Montgomery, Alabama, in which the Cubs’ affiliate was staying.
There, Ryan broke the news to Amaya: He wouldn’t be catching Tuesday for the Smokies because he was joining the Cubs in Washington.
Amaya, 24, jumped up and wrapped Ryan in a hug. Then he called his parents.
It has been a long road to the big leagues for Amaya, who has been on the Cubs’ 40-man roster since November 2019 but was sent on a detour by injuries.