Although seeing a player scratched from the initial lineup an hour or two before the game is not that uncommon – guys take BP and feel something, guys were trying to get over something lingering and it became clear it was best to sit, etc. – it’s odd to see a guy scratched JUST before the game begins.
So it was tonight for Kris Bryant, though no official reason has been given. He dealt with a back issue late in Summer Camp, and then an elbow issue earlier this season. So it wouldn’t be surprising if one of those … er, wait, as I’m typing this sentence the official word came down:
Kris Bryant was scratched from the lineup with "gastrointestinal issues," per Cubs.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 2, 2020
All right then. Bryant scratched late because he wasn’t feeling well. Hopefully the rest allows him to be good to go tomorrow.
UPDATE: Since gastrointestinal issues can be a symptom of COVID-19, this is appropriate:
Kris Bryant will be tested for virus as part of MLB protocol tomorrow morning. He left the park early with stomach issues .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) August 2, 2020
Cubs manager David Ross says "all indications" are that Kris Bryant had a "bad stomach" bug tonight: "Got to run through standard protocols, just making sure with everything we got going on that he’s feeling all right. We’ll get him tested just as a precaution tomorrow morning."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) August 2, 2020