The Cubs have the worst on-base percentage (.282) from the leadoff spot in the majors this season, a season-long issue that led to the unsuccessful Jason Heyward experiment throughout August.
Maybe it’s not fair to expect Ben Zobrist to fix the Cubs’ sizeable problems in the leadoff spot this year.
But that doesn’t mean the Cubs’ long lost veteran switch-hitter won’t be asked to try, starting Tuesday against former Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez of the Mariners.
Zobrist, the 2016 World Series MVP who returned from a four-month personal leave Sunday, makes his first start Tuesday since he led off against Miami and likely will play second base.
“I know he’s ready to rock and roll. I know what he’s capable of doing,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He’ll [also] get a lot of playing time in Milwaukee in a couple days.”
Look for him to get as much as he can handle in the leadoff spot if he performs even adequately after the long layoff. The Cubs have the worst leadoff on-base percentage (.282) in the majors by 15 points – and more than 50 points worse than the league average.
“Physically, I feel really good,” Zobrist reiterated Monday. “I just kind of assume [playing time] will be dependent upon what they see. If my timing looks good I’ll get to play more. If I’m struggling, then I might sit more.
“Regardless, I’m here to be one of the other tools in the tool kid that Joe can use in various times in whatever way they feel is necessary.”
Thumb and bummer for Baez
Shortstop Javy Baez’s jammed left thumb worsened overnight and could keep him out of both games in the Mariners series, Maddon said.
“If that were the case, that’s not a bad thing; he gets an All-Star break [including Wednesday’s off day] right now,” Maddon said. “It’s just that his thumb got a little bit sorer. I anticipated [that]. … It’s day-by-day.”
Baez jammed the thumb on a stolen base in the third inning Sunday and left the game several innings later.
Adbert added
The Cubs added rookie right-hander Adbert Alzolay to the expanded roster Monday, and Maddon said the starter will work out of the bullpen as a long reliever barring an unexpected need in a short role.
Alzolay made his big-league debut in June, making two starts, one good, one bad.
Contreras return Brewing
Catcher Willson Contreras, who played in his third minor-league rehab game Monday, is holding up well, Maddon said.
He’s expected to return from his hamstring injury during the next series, in Milwaukee, which opens Thursday.
