MICHAEL BUSCH NEWS

Off to fast start Busch went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Impact Busch is now 4-for-6 overall through two spring training appearances with three RBI. The 27-year-old is entrenched as Chicago's top option at first base, though the recent addition of Justin Turner gives the Cubs a veteran alternative. The two could work in a platoon to start the year with the lefty-hitting Busch serving on the strong side, but a prolonged slump by either player could swing playing time more in the opposite direction.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Gets potential platoon partner With the Cubs signing Justin Turner on Tuesday, he could form a platoon with Busch at first base, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Impact Busch, a left-handed hitter, would presumably be on the strong side of a platoon with Turner, who bats from the right side and would likely be deployed against southpaws. The veteran Turner is also an option to see time at DH. While Busch still appears to be locked into a fairly sizeable role, the Cubs do now have someone to turn to who has had plenty of success at the MLB level. If Busch gets off to a slow start, Turner could see his role grow at the former's expense.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Not an option at third base Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated Tuesday that Busch is not under consideration to play third base and will instead remain focused on first base, Meghan Mon...

Impact The Cubs have an opening at the hot corner following the trade of Isaac Paredes and Busch has some experience at third base. However, the team views Busch as a potential Gold Glove-caliber first baseman and wants him to remain there. Top prospect Matt Shaw looks to be the current favorite to start at third base.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Walks four times Busch went 0-for-1 with four walks during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Reds in 10 innings.

Impact Busch didn't generate a hit in the final series of the regular season. going 0-for-7 across the three-game set against Cincinnati. However, he did walk four times in Sunday's regular-season finale. It was just his sixth game with multiple walks this season and set a career high in the category. The 26-year-old finishes 2024 with a .248/.335/.440 slash line, 21 home runs, 65 RBI and 73 runs scored.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Friday Busch (triceps) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Friday's contest against the Reds.

Impact Busch missed one game with a sore triceps as a result of a hit-by-pitch, but he's feeling well enough to play after Thursday's team off day. Cody Bellinger is at first base in this one while Kevin Alcantara handles right field.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remaining out Wednesday Busch (triceps) isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.

Impact Busch departed Tuesday's game early after getting hit in the arm by a pitch, and he'll now take a day off to recover during Wednesday's series finale. His absence will put Cody Bellinger at first base, opening up right field for Kevin Alcantara to make his MLB debut while batting ninth.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Exits after HBP Busch was removed from Tuesday's game against the Phillies after getting hit in the arm by a pitch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Busch was able to remain in the game to run the bases after getting plunked, but he didn't take the field once the Cubs went back out on defense. The severity of his injury remains unknown, though the fact he was able to run for himself is a good sign that he may have avoided a significant injury.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ends slump with homer Busch went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sundays' 5-0 win over the Nationals.

Impact Busch entered Sunday 0-for-11 over his last four games. He snapped the slump with a pair of extra-base hits, including a fourth-inning solo shot that gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead. He's been a bit streaky this year, but Busch has been able to put up decent power numbers with 21 homers, 65 RBI and a .448 slugging percentage. He's added 28 doubles, two stolen bases, 72 runs scored and a .252 batting average over 147 contests, mostly in a strong-side platoon role.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Thursday Busch isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Impact After going 1-for-10 with an RBI and four strikeouts during Chicago's previous series against Oakland, Busch will take a seat to begin the Cubs' four-game set with Washington. Patrick Wisdom will cover first base in his stead and bat sixth.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Busch is named the NL Player of the Week | 09/16/2024 Michael Busch is named the NL Player of the Week after hitting .478 with four home runs, including a two-homer game v. the Rockies

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • MLB.COM

Blasts off twice Sunday Busch went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs and an additional RBI in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Rockies.

Impact Busch was out of the starting lineup Saturday but returned with a bang Sunday and enjoyed the series finale at Coors Field. The 26-year-old reached 20 home runs for the first time in his young career, which should solidify his role as Chicago's first baseman moving into 2025 and beyond. Busch has been limited to just 80 at-bats against lefties all season, which has limited his upside to a degree, but he's still been a pleasant surprise for fantasy purposes after coming into the year with a very limited MLB track record.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Busch homers twice and has 3 RBIs to lead Cubs over Rockies 6-2

Michael Busch had his first big league multi-homer game, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-2 to stop a three-game losing streak

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Resting Saturday Busch isn't in the Cubs' lineup Saturday against Colorado.

Impact Although Busch has gone 8-for-17 with two homers and seven RBI over his last four games, the Cubs will sit him down for Saturday's contest while Patrick Wisdom starts at first base and bats sixth.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in three-hit effort Busch went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Rockies.

Impact Busch went deep with two runners on in the eighth inning, giving him 18 home runs for the season. The 26-year-old is enjoying his first year in Chicago, as he's gotten a chance to play regularly at first base and he's sporting a respectable .778 OPS across 138 games. With 2024 his first real taste of extended MLB action, Busch could be primed for a step forward in 2025 now that he has more experience under his belt.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs drop crucial opener to Rox after Busch's clutch homer DENVER -- The Cubs mounted a late comeback on Friday night, but could not find the finish line. An eighth-inning grand slam off the bat of R...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • MLB.COM

Michael Busch, amid a strong rookie season, comes through against his old team to lead Chicago Cubs to 10-4 win If Michael Busch held any extra incentive to remind his former team what they gave up, the Chicago Cubs first baseman downplayed that after...

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Busch leads Cubs against the Dodgers after 4-hit performance

The Chicago Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers after Michael Busch had four hits against the Dodgers on Monday

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posts big line against former team Busch went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three total runs and three total RBI in a 10-4 win against the Dodgers on Monday.

Impact Busch bullied the club that drafted him in the first round in 2019, recording his second four-hit game of the season and tying his campaign high with three RBI. He took Walker Buehler deep in the fourth inning and also had an RBI single in each of the first and sixth frames. Busch's long ball snapped a 24-game stretch without a homer, and he batted just .179 over 84 at-bats during that span.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Posts big line against former team Busch went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three total runs and three total RBI in a 10-4 win against the Dodgers on Monday.

Impact Busch bullied the club that drafted him in the first round in 2019, recording his second four-hit game of the season and tying his campaign high with three RBI. He took Walker Buehler deep in the fourth inning and also had an RBI single in each of the first and sixth frames. Busch's long ball snapped a 24-game stretch without a homer, and he batted just .179 over 84 at-bats during that span.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Busch and Bellinger light up their old team in Cubs' 10-4 win over NL West-leading Dodgers

Michael Busch went 4 for 5 with a homer and scored three runs, Cody Bellinger had three RBIs including a two-run homer, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taking seat Sunday Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Impact Busch went 1-for-17 while starting the past seven games but will sit Sunday against New York righty Gerrit Cole. Cody Bellinger will shift to first base while Mike Tauchman receives a start in right field.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus southpaw Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Busch doesn't always head to the bench against left-handed pitchers, but he'll sit Sunday against Washington southpaw Mitchell Parker. Patrick Wisdom is starting at first base and batting sixth in the series finale.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus southpaw Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Busch doesn't always head to the bench against left-handed pitchers, but he'll sit Sunday against Washington southpaw Mitchell Parker. Patrick Wisdom is starting at first base and batting sixth in the series finale.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Tuesday's lineup Busch is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Busch started the previous 14 games but will head to the bench Tuesday after he posted a .186/.271/.256 slash line during that span. Cody Bellinger will shift to first base while Mike Tauchman receives a start in right field.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches four times in romp Busch went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 14-2 win over the Marlins.

Impact Busch chipped in three of his team's 17 total hits as the offense carried the Cubs to victory. The young first baseman continues to have a productive first season in Chicago, as he's batting .258 with a .795 OPS across 123 games. With the Cubs giving Pete Crow-Armstrong an extended look in center field, Cody Bellinger has had to play elsewhere, including in right and serving as the DH, as he did Saturday. Bellinger is also an option to play at first when he's not in center, but so far, the Cubs have opted to keep Busch in the lineup as often as possible, except against lefty starters.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE