Cubs' Reese McGuire Hits Two Homers in Historic Debut vs Reds

The Chicago Cubs have been bolstered by unexpected contributions from depth players during their strong 32-21 start to the 2025 season. Veteran catcher Reese McGuire, after being released and re-signed to a minor league contract earlier in May, was called up due to an injury to Miguel Amaya and illness sidelining Carson Kelly. McGuire made a historic impact by hitting two home runs in his Cubs debut, becoming only the third player in franchise history to achieve this feat, and helped lead a comeback victory against the Cincinnati Reds. His emotional journey highlights the challenges of fluctuating between minor and major leagues, emphasizing his gratitude for the opportunity to play at the highest level again. Additionally, prospect Moises Ballesteros was briefly promoted to fill in for injured Ian Happ, showing promising plate discipline despite limited hits in his short stint. These developments underscore the Cubs' ability to rely on both veteran depth and emerging talent to sustain their divisional lead.