May 22--The Chicago Cubs caught a break Saturday when an MRI revealed that right fielder Jason Heyward suffered only a bruise near his right rib area.
Heyward, who landed hard while making a diving catch Friday night, is expected to be sidelined for three to five days and will avoid the 15-day disabled list.
"I'm lucky," Heyward said. "Very, very lucky."
However, reliever Neil Ramirez was designated for assignment to make room for Matt Szczur, who was activated from the DL.
Heyward suffered injury while catching a deep drive by Denard Span of San Francisco that he said was one of his best catches.
"I'm definitely feeling better from last night," Heyward said. "I'm still sore and achy. It's still tight in the area where it happened.
"It's still better than last night and not as sensitive to touch."
Heyward said he would listen to his body before rejoining the Cubs.
"I got to be smart," Heyward said. "It is May. We're not in September right now. We're working towqrd that, but it's not the time to push it."
With Heyward still out for at least three days, the Cubs needed to shore up their bench and will have 10 days to trade, waive or release Ramirez.
"Neil's had a wonderful young career with Cubs," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's a wonderful young man. It's hard to do that. Hopefully he'll have a better opportunity to play more often somewhere else, which he deserves."
