I was disappointed, but unsurprised to see Ian Happ left out of the Cubs series-opening lineup against the Cardinals tonight after taking a foul ball off his eye yesterday. Even still we were waiting with bated breath to hear just how bad the injury was – you just don’t want to mess around with a hitter’s eyes.
Well, our first word indicated that things “weren’t too bad,” and now we know he may well be available off the bench tonight “if he’s up for it.”
Happ is day-to-day at the moment. Ross wanted to keep him out today because he had a lot of tests run on his eye, but if he's up for it, could be available off the bench tonight.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) September 4, 2020
I don’t have to tell you how important Happ has been to this offense this year – let alone the leadoff spot in particular – so let’s hope he gets in some rest tonight as Yu Darvish dominates the Cardinals and is otherwise ready to go for one or both of the games tomorrow.
Beyond that, it’s not quite clear if the results of the tests have come back at all (let alone if they are good or bad), but if he’s available pending his own willingness, then you have to imagine the news could’ve been a heck of a lot worse. For now, this is good news, but we’ll continue crossing our fingers. More if and when we have it.
Oh, and before we go, Kyle Schwarber is leading off in place of Happ tonight, which gave David Ross the opportunity for some beautifully self-aware wit:
Ross was asked why he liked Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot tonight…
"All the success he's had in that spot…"
Pause, grin…
"No, I'm just kidding."
Laughs.
"I like Schwarbs. He's one of our best hitters. I love his at-bats. I love him at the top."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 4, 2020