The Chicago Cubs are already giving Kris Bryant extra rest to try and combat his nagging shoulder injury, while closer Brandon Morrow is on the DL and Yu Darvish might be back in the middle of August at the earliest. Add in two horrible losses against the Arizona Diamondbacks at home and the news of Javier Baez leaving Tuesday’s game early definitely didn’t do anything to help ease any of the built up tension this week for fans.
Baez took a direct hit to his left knee in the seventh inning, when Steve Souza tried to stretch a single into a double. Souza had nowhere else to go on the slide to second base and that resulted in the following.
Baez finished the inning on defense, but was then lifted after Ben Zobrist came in to pinch hit as part of a double-switch.
Later in the game, Steve Cishek hit Souza with two outs and a runner on in the ninth. Souza took exception to that and had some words with Anthony Rizzo at first base.
FIGHT! (almost)
Souza apparently did not like getting plunked by Cishek and play is halted while he and Rizzo get in each other's faces.
Order is restored pretty quickly, but rest assured, Willson Contreras was the first one out ready to back up his teammate.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) July 25, 2018
The good news for now is that Joe Maddon believes it’s not a huge deal for Baez, who could be back in the lineup for Wednesday’s afternoon game against Arizona.
#Cubs Baez is ok. Was getting ice on his knee after collision at second
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 25, 2018
Baez icing his knee after getting slid into at 2nd. Maddon thinks he might be able to play tomorrow.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 25, 2018
So, fingers crossed that’s it’s nothing more than a bruise for Baez.
