Cubs News: Injury updates on Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Cole Hamels |
PITTSBURGH — Injuries have plagued the Chicago Cubs' late-season playoff push, and the Cubs are still battling several injuries in the final week of the regular season. In addition to third baseman
Kris Bryant dealing with the ankle sprain that he suffered on Sunday, shortstop
Javier Baez is still working his way back from a thumb fracture. Additionally, starting pitcher
Cole Hamels is struggling with shoulder fatigue, which caused him to miss his previously scheduled start. On Tuesday, the Cubs updated the status of each of the three ailing players.
The Cubs announced that Bryant's Grade 2 sprain would lead to daily treatment and assessment throughout the last week of the regular season. Bryant has not been ruled out for the remaining games, and the Cubs are hopeful that he will be able to play at some point during their 6-game road trip to close out the season. As for Baez, he has healed well enough to be able to bat and slide, but he has struggled to field the ball without experiencing pain. Baez fielded grounders and played catch on Tuesday and is confident that he will resume starting in the near future. In the meantime, Baez will likely be used exclusively in pinch-hitting and pinch-running situations. Hamels has not been his usual self since early August, when he returned from an oblique injury suffered in late June. With that being said, the Cubs revealed last week that Hamels has been dealing with shoulder fatigue, and his start was skipped this past Friday because of it. Fellow Cubs starter Jose Quintana is scheduled to start in the Cubs' matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday. Hamels would typically pitch on that day, but he is not expected to be ready by then. The left-hander took part in a bullpen session on Tuesday and still has a chance to make one final start before the regular season comes to a close. Cubs: MRI showed moderate sprained right ankle for Kris Bryant. Team not saying his season is over yet. Treated and assessed daily. More: Kris Bryant said it was hard to watch the replay of his injury, but he’s glad it’s not as bad as initially feared. He plans on trying to come back for a Cubs team clinging to razor-thin playoff hopes. pic.twitter.com/fn8hdTjgof
• Javy Baez testing hand with grounders/catch today.
• Quintana starts Thursday
• Hamels throwing bullpen today
