Cubs Notes and recap

Amaya (oblique) will likely begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break and is expected to need about a week’s worth of games before returning to the Cubs, MLB.com reports.

Amaya has taken batting practice and completed a few bullpen catching sessions in his rehab work so far, but he’s yet to see live game action since landing on the injured list with a left oblique injury on May 24. The backstop now appears to be one step closer to returning to the majors, and when he does, he’ll compete with Carson Kelly for work behind the plate, though Kelly has played well this year and is likely to remain Chicago’s No. 1 catcher for the time being. Amaya compiled a .280/.313/.505 slash line with four home runs and 25 RBI in 27 games before getting injured.

The Cubs have selected Snell with the 151st overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.

Snell worked as a two-way player early in his college career but shifted to playing as Alabama’s full-time left fielder in 2025. He had a 1.039 OPS with 10 homers in 58 games during his senior season, and he’s more of a balanced hitter than a true power threat. He doesn’t offer much on the bases and didn’t record a steal during his two years with the Crimson Tide.

The Cubs have selected Wing with the 121st overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.

A two-way prep player from California, Wing had been a defensive-minded shortstop before breaking out this spring on the mound, where he doesn’t have as much history. Wing’s fastball was up to 95 mph this spring with a curveball that could be plus. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, he should add good weight and likely more velocity in the coming years.

The Cubs have selected Reid with the 90th overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.

Reid spent his first two years at Oklahoma State before transferring to Abilene Christian for his junior year. He logged a 3.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 88.1 innings after only pitching 19.1 innings his first two years combined. His changeup is his best pitch, and it’s possible he’ll add velocity to his low-90s fastball in pro ball.

The Cubs have selected Kepley with the 56th overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

There’s no sugarcoating the fact Kepley probably won’t provide much over-the-fence power in pro ball. The lefty-hitting center fielder is listed at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds and hit three home runs in 61 games this spring as a junior for North Carolina after spending his first two seasons at Liberty. Fortunately, he is a plus defender and plus runner who walked twice as much as he struck out in his lone year for the Tar Heels. He had more hit-by-pitches this year (27) than strikeouts (22), and he’s never posted an OBP below .450, so if it all works out Kepley could lead off, at least against righties.