The Cubs are adding veteran catcher Austin Wynns on a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Iowa, reports Iowa broadcaster Jason Kempf. He’d elected free agency after being outrighted by the Rangers last week.
Wynns provides an experienced depth option behind the big league duo of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya. Chicago doesn’t have any other catchers on the 40-man roster, nor did any of their non-roster players have any MLB experience. Prospect Owen Ayers has had a solid Triple-A debut after destroying Double-A earlier this season. Christian Bethancourt was in the organization for a while but granted his release around the All-Star Break.
The 35-year-old Wynns has already suited up at the big league level with three teams in 2026. He began the season with the A’s and has had quick stops in Atlanta and Texas. He’s batting .146 with a .195 on-base percentage and one home run in 89 plate appearances. Wynns hit well in a tiny sample with the Reds last year — which included a six-hit game against his former team in Baltimore — but has a lifetime .230/.274/.344 slash over parts of eight seasons. He’s a decent blocker with an average arm.
Wynns would be eligible for postseason play with Chicago. Players only need to be in the organization, not on the 40-man roster, by the end of August to qualify for the playoffs. Teams can (and annually do) permission the league for eligibility for non-roster players who sign before the start of September. The Cubs have used the Kelly-Amaya pairing all year with decent results, but they could add Wynns when active rosters expand next week.
