The Cubs have a trio of walking wounded right now, none of whom are on the Injured List, but all of whom are out for undetermined lengths of time. That’s the trick with September injuries: the roster is expanded to the full 40-man, so the Injured List isn’t necessary. Thus, ascertaining just how injured a guy is – already a challenge when it comes to the Cubs – is all the more difficult.
Updates on Kris Bryant (knee soreness popping back up), Javy Baez (jammed thumb from the weekend), and Yu Darvish (forearm tightness), all of whom have missed time this week:
Maddon on Bryant: “Little hitch in the giddyup. Got to keep an eye on it, don’t think it’s anything awful.” Today and tomorrow off, see where we are on Friday. Just think it’s bothering him. #Cubs
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) September 3, 2019
Updates via Maddon:
• Made sense to rest Bryant with off-day Wed. Re-evaluate Thu in Milwaukee.
• Baez doing “a little bit better.” Maddon would “like to think he’ll be ready for Thursday.”
• Darvish played catch today, still on target for Sat start.— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 3, 2019
Not perfect news all around re Cubs injuries. Maddon couldn't say for sure Baez and Bryant would play Thurs though he doesn't seem too concerned. Said the 'plan' is still for Darvish to make his next start on Saturday: "Until I hear differently that's the way its going to play."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 3, 2019
On the bright side, Maddon has always had a penchant for being overly aggressive in resting guys when doing so abuts up against a team off-day, thus ensuring multiple consecutive days off. That could give you a little optimism in the cases of Baez and Bryant, and each has dealt with performance issues at the plate in any case, so maybe a little extra rest isn’t the worst thing in the world anyway.
As for Darvish, the Cubs still tentatively expect him to start on Saturday in Milwaukee, and he played catch yesterday as he normally would:
Darvish playing catch pic.twitter.com/I5sYj1WJvj
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 3, 2019