Cubs manager Craig Counsell said speedy outfielder Justin Dean would be used in pinch-running and defensive replacement roles following his call up from Triple-A Iowa before Friday’s 16-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 29-year-old Dean replaced hot-hitting Pete Crow-Armstrong in center in the seventh inning after the Cubs had taken an 11-2 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Dean tripled with the bases loaded for his first major league hit.
Dean, from Maudlin, South Carolina, had toiled in the minors and Mexico for 10 seasons before appearing in 18 regular season with the Dodgers last season. But he had only two at-bats and plate appearances as he was relegated to a specialized role with Los Angeles.
Dean went on to appear in 13 postseason games with the World Series Champs, but had no plate appearances, even if he did score as a pinch runner.
In his first at-bat with the Cubs, the right-handed batting Dean sliced a center-cut sinker from Toronto right-handed submariner Tyler Rogers beyond right fielder Jesus Sanchez and into the corner. Dean easily reached third… and a long-awaited moment.
“I almost cried, “Dean said. “We kept it inside, though. I’ve been waiting a long time for that I’m super happy it came at this stadium, with this team and with these guys.
“I’m going to watch the video a couple of time, feel the moment and get back to it tomorrow,” he added.
Dean admitted his path hasn’t’ been easy, even if he was starting to heat up at Iowa, where he was batting .238 with eight doubles, two triples and three homers and 14 stolen bases in 56 games. He reported for his first game at Wrigley Field on Friday after the Cubs optioned catcher Moises Ballesteros, who was struggling offensively, to their top affiliate.
“I played baseball my whole life, I like to think I’m a capable hitter,” Dean said. “Whatever the team needs, though.”
Dean said the Dodgers sent him a World Series ring that arrived in Iowa as he left for Chicago.
“Just crazy timing,” he said.
Dean said he just planned to simply stare at the ball he struck for the hit before sending it to his parents for safe keeping. He credited this parents for giving him a “support system” through his travails, even at times when he considered leaving baseball.
“Baseball is a hard game, No 1,” he said. “I was in the minor leagues for a while for, 2.”
Counsell was aware of the significance of Dean’s hit.
“The big thing is Justin’s been playing this game for a long time,” the Cubs manager said. “It’s a a little different when you go though what Justin’s gone through in the game and played the game as long as he had.
Hoosier tune-up For Boyd
Opening day starter Matthew Boyd was in the Cubs clubhouse on Friday and finally seems be nearing a return to the Cubs depleted rotation.
Fingers crossed.
The 35-year-old left-hander will shuttle to Indiana for a rehab start for the High-A South Bend Cubs on Saturday at when they play at Ft. Wayne. Counsell hoped Boyd will be ready to rejoin the rotation after the minor league tune-up.
Boyd was on track to return at San Francisco last weekend, but that was pushed back after the left-hander experienced some shoulder soreness after throwing a bullpen session at Colorado on Tuesday
Boyd, an All-Star in 2025, has started just five games this season and is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA. He’s still trying to come back from a second stint on the injured list after he surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He suffered the freak injury while playing with his kids at home on May 4.
Boyd missed three weeks in April with a biceps strain.. Last season, Boyd was 14-8 with 3.21 ERA in 31 starts.
Former Cub farmhand making impression With Jays
Rookie and one-time Cub farmhand Yohendrick Piñango batted cleanup and played left field for the Blue Jays on Friday. In his first major league season at age 24, he’s batting .283 through 42 games with four homers and 18 RBIs, playing in both left and right.
The 24-year-old Venezuelan signed with the Cubs as a free agent in June 2018, then was deal to Toronto in July 2024 with Josh Rivera for pitcher Nate Pearson.
Piñango never advanced above Double-A Tennessee with the Cubs.