Back to the Chicago Cubs Newsfeed

Cubs’ Epstein: Demotion of Almora about everyday at-bats, not mistake-prone play

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Albert Almora Jr. could’ve gotten away with taking an extra day to clear his head or cool his jets.

Instead, less than 24 hours after the Cubs optioned the center fielder to Class AAA Iowa on Friday — his first demotion since before the 2016 World Series — he was in the lineup for a two-hit night.

His professionalism didn’t go unnoticed.

“That was awesome,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said.

Almora, 25, hit .243 in 114 games as a big-leaguer in 2019. His selectivity at the plate has left a lot to be desired, as has his base running.