P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Mon 5/16/22 6:40 PM

Higgins (elbow) has logged 73 plate appearances across 18 games at Triple-A Iowa this season, slashing .377/.479/.508 with a home run and 10 RBI.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins' availability for the start of the 2022 season looked to be in jeopardy after he underwent Tommy John surgery last summer, but he demonstrated enough progress in his throwing program during spring training to make his debut as a catcher back on April 5. He's continued to see most of his action at catcher for Iowa while occasionally dabbling at first base (three starts) and third base (three starts) on his days off from behind the plate.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Sun 3/13/22 11:57 AM

The Cubs announced Sunday that Higgins (forearm) is attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee after he agreed to a minor-league contract in November, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins joins John Hicks as non-roster catchers present for big-league camp, though the former is expected to be limited to rehab work while he continues to recover from the Tommy John surgery he required last summer. Though Higgins may face a shorter timeline for his recovery than a pitcher would, he's still expected to miss a large portion of the 2022 campaign. Once he's back to 100 percent, Higgins will likely settle at Triple-A Iowa.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Sun 6/27/21 6:08 PM

Higgins will undergo right forearm flexor tendon repair in the near future, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins was initially expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, but he'll undergo a different procedure in the coming days. However, the 28-year-old is still expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 season, and he could also be sidelined to begin the 2022 campaign.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Sat 6/26/21 5:32 PM

Higgins (forearm) will undergo Tommy John surgery in a few weeks, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins suffered a right forearm strain June 11, and he's now been diagnosed with a torn UCL. The 28-year-old is already on the 60-day injured list, and he'll miss the remainder of the 2021 season and the start of the 2022 campaign while he recovers. Jose Lobaton has been serving as the backup catcher while Austin Romine (wrist) has also been sidelined.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Wed 6/16/21 5:21 PM

Higgins (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
EDGE Analysis
The backup catcher is now set to miss an extended time with his strained right forearm, keeping Jose Lobaton in that role until Austin Romine (wrist) returns near the end of the month. It remains unclear exactly how long Higgins will be sidelined.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Fri 6/11/21 11:35 AM

Higgins landed on the injured list with a strained right forearm Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins had been serving as the backup catcher in the absence of Austin Romine (wrist) but didn't do much in his limited action, going 1-for-23 at the plate. The Cubs will now have to turn to fourth-string backstop Jose Lobaton, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move, to back up Willson Contreras. It's not yet clear when the team expects Higgins to return.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Wed 6/9/21 1:41 PM

Higgins will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins will enter the lineup for only the fifth time since his May 19 call-up from Triple-A Iowa. The 28-year-old is off to a 1-for-21 start to his big-league career, and his playing time will likely remain scarce so long as top catcher Willson Contreras is healthy.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Wed 5/19/21 4:26 PM

Higgins' contract was selected by the Cubs on Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Higgins began the 2021 campaign with Triple-A Iowa and slashed .333/.458/.513 with a home run, seven runs and six RBI in 11 games. He'll now serve as the backup to Willson Contreras after Tony Wolters was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Fri 3/19/21 10:55 PM

Higgins got a step closer to securing the backup catcher role with the Cubs reassigning Jose Lobaton to minor-league camp Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Austin Romine (knee) should eventually become the backup to Willson Contreras, but he looks questionable for Opening Day, so Higgins may get the first crack at the role. The 27-year-old has yet to appear in the majors and likely wouldn't earn enough playing time to be much of a fantasy factor if Contreras stays healthy.

P.J. Higgins
C/1B FA
Sat 3/13/21 12:17 PM

Higgins could serve as the Cubs' backup catcher if Austin Romine (knee) remains sidelined into the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Romine's knee sprain isn't thought to be too serious, but the team hasn't provided any timeline for his return, so Higgins could emerge as the backup to Willson Contreras, though veteran Jose Lobaton is also an option. Manager David Ross referenced Higgins' ability to play multiple infield positions, which could help him earn a roster spot. However, if Romine gets healthy, Higgins will likely start the season with Triple-A Iowa.