Tyler Austin Enters Free Agency After Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Chicago Cubs first baseman Tyler Austin missed the entire 2026 season following right knee surgery and is now entering free agency. Austin, 35, signed a $1.2 million contract with Chicago last December after six seasons in NPB, where he hit .293/.377/.568 with 85 home runs. However, he required a right patellar tendon debridement procedure after early camp workouts and was placed on the 60-day injured list without playing a game.