Owen Caissie, 23, slid into Chicago’s lineup with a travel-day sprint and a big-league baptism at Rogers Centre, debuting as the designated hitter in the Cubs’ interleague set. He drew two walks and delivered an RBI double in his first major-league action, while facing Max Scherzer in his first at-bat and seeing a diving play from Davis Schneider deny an extra-base hit. Recalled from Triple-A Iowa after Miguel Amaya landed on the injured list, Caissie is positioned as a high-upside project with a long runway ahead.

The Cubs view him as a hitter with power and strong plate discipline, but Counsell stressed flexibility rather than a fixed role as the schedule evolves. Caissie’s season at Iowa (.289, 22 HR, 52 RBI) and a standout Futures Game performance suggest a ceiling that could push him into regular at-bats as rest days and matchups allow. The Yu Darvish trade that brought him to Chicago in 2020 hangs over the narrative, underscoring the franchise’s patience with a high-ceiling youngster who could become a cornerstone once he seizes the opportunity.