NEWSLETTER
Kris Bryant still isn’t playing tonight – no surprise, given that he’s dealing with oblique tightness – but he is at least in a position to try some things out and see whether he could play soon.
The latest:
Kris Bryant update (oblique) from Cubs manager David Ross: “He’s going through a series of tests with the trainers today to push some things, to try some mobility out, put a little more strenuous activity into the program. The good news was he felt better today than yesterday.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) September 23, 2020
Ross on Bryant: "I'm optimistic. … He felt better today." going through more range of motion tests today.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 23, 2020
I would speculate that the Cubs would like to know today whether Bryant will be able to come back before the postseason begins. If he can’t, then it’s IL time and at least the Cubs could get another player on the roster. But if there’s a chance Bryant is going to be good to go – well, as good as he can be given all the other physical ailments this year – the Cubs will keep waiting it out.
Meanwhile, David Bote – who is conspicuously batting 9th tonight – is able to play right now, but his comments about whatever minor physical things he’s been playing through leave you a little concerned:
Bote, on his health/availability: “depends on how I feel that day. But the way I’m feeling today, I can play from here on out. “
"A couple days ago I couldn’t."— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 23, 2020
Hopefully he holds it together well on into the postseason, because the Cubs really need him, and don’t need another player’s production falling off the table because of nagging injury issues.
