Hooray! Jorge Soler is officially back after missing more than a month with a sprained ankle. He starts in right field today, and bats sixth.
He’ll have to supply a little extra offensive support, because the starting lineup will be without Anthony Rizzo, who joins the rest of the regulars with a day off this past week. Mike Baxter fills in at first, and Rizzo looms as a late-inning bench bat.
Speaking of Baxter, he won out over Matt Szczur in the battle to keep a 25-man roster spot with Soler’s return. Given Chris Denorfia’s presence, and Soler’s righty bat, Baxter is probably the better choice to stick around. He has hit decently well, and provides a lefty bat for the Cubs.
Welcome back, @JorgeSoler68!
Game preview: http://t.co/CzT8VTyAh9 #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/LHUc3nEPoh
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 5, 2015