Cubs prospect Alexander Canario thought his baseball career was over. It's just getting started.

As Alexander Canario rolled around the first base line in pain from a horrific shoulder and ankle injury during a Dominican Winter League Game in 2022, the Chicago Cubs prospect immediately feared the worst. Canario, who didn't understand the full extent of his injuries, worried he would be out not only for the year but possibly forever.

“I was thinking it’s the end of my career,” Canario said.

Luckily for him, it didn’t come to that. Canario not only made his return but got back on the field this season. While it hasn't turned into the 2023 season he was hoping for before he got hurt, Canario has a lot to be thankful for during his second stint with the Iowa Cubs.

“I feel good,” Canario said. “It feels good to be back playing a game and be healthy.”

It has been a long time coming for Canario, who quickly emerged as one of the big gets in Chicago's trade with the San Francisco Giants for Kris Bryant. Canario, acquired by the Cubs along with Caleb Kilian, had a huge first full season with his new organization in 2022 when he walloped 37 home runs and drove in 97 runs across three levels.

The successful season ended with Canario making his Triple-A debut with Iowa and knocking on the door of the major leagues for the first time in his career. Canario played so well that it seemed like only a matter of when, not if he'd be in Chicago in 2023. Even he was planning on making his major league debut this season.

“I was expecting to play in the big leagues,” Canario said. “I don’t know if it would have been the start of the year. But at some point, I was thinking about being in the big leagues.”

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But it hasn’t happened for Canario yet. Instead, his season and even his career was temporarily derailed when he suffered the ugly injury during winter ball. It happened when Canario rolled his ankle and slammed to the ground while trying to beat out a grounder running to first base. Canario broke his left ankle on the play and dislocated his left shoulder.

“That was scary,” he said. "I was thinking it's the end of my career."

But after doctors operated on both the ankle and his shoulder, Canario got some good news. His career wasn’t over. In fact, his 2023 season may not even be over. If he worked hard, was patient and everything went well during the rehab process, he could be back this year.

“Early in the year, I just took my time, trusted the process and worked hard every day,” Canario said.

Canario couldn’t do much at first. He said he couldn’t do any baseball activities for four or five months while he recovered from the surgeries. Canario finally got back to playing in games when he began a rehab assignment in Arizona on June 15. He appeared in seven games there before moving on to High-A South Bend to continue his rehab.

Canario officially worked his way all the way back when he was brought back up to Iowa on June 14. It came nearly 10 full months from the last time Canario played in a Triple-A game. The extended layoff made the return to Des Moines even more rewarding for Canario.

“It’s a long process,” he said.

The process has brought some early results for Canario, who has hit .243/.364/.351 with three doubles, a triple and a home run in his first 21 minor league games this season. Canario admits he’s still getting into a rhythm and trying to find his timing again. But it’s coming with more and more at-bats. After the injury, Canario changed his goals for the season. Getting to the big leagues wasn’t the focus.

“Now I just want to be healthy and do my job,” Canario said.

There are still high hopes that he can do that. Canario has speed, boasts a powerful bat and strong arm. He's still listed as the No. 10 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline. So, his goal of reaching the big leagues may still happen.

But, after missing so much time and worrying that his career may be over, Canario has a fresh perspective on things. Getting to the big leagues isn't the most important thing right now. Being on the field, at any level, is.

“I just want to be healthy and the same player or better than last year,” Canario said.

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chicago Cubs prospect Alexander Canario excited to return after injury