CLEVELAND – Injuries have tested the Cubs’ depth early this season, and that depth took another hit on Tuesday as the team put center fielder Jake Marisnick on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. The team recalled left-hander Brad Wieck from Class AAA Iowa.
Marisnick injured the hamstring in Sunday’s game against the Pirates as he chased down a fly ball in shallow center field before falling to the ground in pain.
He also injured the same hamstring last season with the Mets and was forced to miss most of the shortened 2020 season. The Cubs’ outfielder says the hamstring had been a little tight for a few weeks before ultimately pulling it on Sunday.
“I think the hard part with last year was the shortened season,” Marisnick said. “Not having enough time when you’re dealing with something like this to get all the way right and then you’re kind of fighting an uphill battle.
“I think the good thing with this year is you have time and you can properly rehab and get everything right. I’m not overly concerned with it. It’s something that had been a little tight. Tried to really dig in to get to that ball in left-center and felt it a little more than I’d like. Overall, pretty optimistic that this will be something that you can take care of and get back to rolling.”
Marisnick has been a spark for the Cubs both defensively and offensively, slashing .264/.350/.623 with four homers this season. Kris Bryant will likely continue to get reps in center field with Marisnick and Ian Happ both on the IL. Outfielder Nick Martini could also see time in center field.
“It’s [a] mild to moderate hamstring strain is what they’re calling it,” manager David Ross said. “I think talking to [head athletic trainer PJ Mainville], we’re expected to know more in about five days.Let some of the healing process take place and then kind of assess from there.”
Baez misses second straight with back tightness
Shortstop Javy Baez was scratched from the lineup before Tuesday’s game against Cleveland with lower back tightness. Baez left Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh with back tightness before missing Sunday’s series finale. Infielder Eric Sogard started at shortstop against Cleveland in his place.
“It loosened up much better yesterday. Last night getting off the plane, he seemed to be ok and then just came in today a little stiff again,” Ross said. “It’s day-to-day just low back stiffness/tightness. He was trying to get loosened up in there. I just really don’t want to push it with an off-day on the back end of this series. If he feels better tomorrow, he’ll be in there.”
