The Cubs announced today that Cubs shortstop Javier Baez likely won’t be able to return to the field of play this month, with ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers among those covering the news on Twitter. He’s planning to rehab his hairline thumb fracture in hopes of being ready for some or all of the postseason.
The news is obviously disappointing, if not unexpected given recent developments. That said, it’s promising that the examination by a specialist did not result in the identification of any damage to thumb ligaments.
Going without Baez undoubtedly hurts the Cubs, who are still trying to chase down the Cardinals in the NL Central while holding off challengers for the final Wild Card spot. With Addison Russell also sidelined, the club was forced to dip into its minor-league system and call up top prospect Nico Hoerner today.
While Baez won’t be able to help the Cubs make it into the postseason, it seems there’s still hope he’ll return to action if they do qualify. His progress, therefore, remains of keen interest even though it doesn’t seem there’s any cause for long-term worry.
Down goes Frazier. TKO
so there’s always October….
Lol
Awful hard to play in October when your team misses the playoffs… Again
They didn’t miss the playoffs last year, so I don’t know what you mean by “again”.
If it helps you sleep at night being able to say that they lost in the playoff game to determine the wild card team then sleep away.
Sorry you hate facts.
It must be a sad existence to focus so much on hating a baseball team.
Yes they did miss the playoffs last year unless you want to count that fiasco.
So they missed the playoffs unless you count the fact that they made the playoffs?
The play in game did not count for the playoffs so technically Howie is right
According to the MLB a wild card game IS a playoff game. Therefore I would advise all those who are baseball idiots to shut the hell up to avoid anymore situations that expose how moronic you really are.
Hey Sherlock, and Howie who started this nonsense: The Cubs didn’t lose a play in-game last season. They lost the 163rd game of the 2019 regular season which broke the tie for the NL Central Division title. Both teams were headed to the postseason regardless of the outcome of that game, one as the division champ and the other as the host for the wild card game versus the Colorado Rockies who had an inferior record as the #2 wc entry. Got it!
Hey Sherlock and Howie (sounds like a second rate comedy team from the 60’s), apparently hating on the Cubs is the only thing you know about baseball. Dumb.
Think Howie is referring to the way they backed out of the playoffs in spectacular fashion. Three straight losses to go from probable division winner to one and done. Almost the same feeling as missing the playoffs
They haven’t missed the playoffs since 2014. Good try though, Howie.
Man, I’m really gonna miss all the delusional cubs fans now the cubs stink again. No worries though. Every end is a new beginning. Starting next year, the White Sox show the baseball world what a real dynasty looks like.
Are you old enough to remember the last time your team didn’t stink? No free agents want to play for the sorriest franchise in baseball.
Winners only, please.
When the Cubs are under .500 and not competing for a Wild Card spot, then they will stink. You may have to wait a couple more years for that.
Careful what you wish for. Might be sooner than you think. 2021?
What postseason
Cubs Unlikely To Return In October
if the Cubs do make the playoffs it’ll be a quick exit they would have to go against Scherzer in Washington, very unlikely that they’re going to catch St Louis.
Even with Javy in the lineup tomorrow the Cubs Bullpen is too inconsistent to go against some of the better teams that they would be facing in the playoffs
Scherzer hasn’t been Scherzer most of this season, and the Cubs typically hit him anyway. I’d be more worried about Strasburg. He kills the Cubs.
Um, okay. Scherzer will win the NL Cy Young so, yep, not Scherzer?
Scherzer is 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 59 IP with 81 K’s. The only thing the Cubs hit against Scherzer is the bench. Even if the Cubs beat the Nats in the wild card, they will just get destroyed by the Dodgers and be on the road the entire playoffs.
You know, the road, where they have one of the worst records in the MLB. It’s okay to have hope, but how about you focus on beating the Cardinals at least 5 out of 7 first.
Ihey you …idiot… last time scherzer pitched against the cubs in the playoffs NLDS game 3 2017 cubs win. Last time scherzer came out of the pen against the cubs game 5 NLCS 2017, 2 earned runs in an inning pitched. Result cubs win again.
Yes you’re probably right and I did forget about Strasburg waiting in the wings which just emphasizes my comment that the Cubs are going to be done early this year unfortunately
3 weeks of fantasy baseball with 0 stats from him will be tough…
Nico Hoerner passed right through A ball and has barely played AA. He must be good to be called up now.
and/or a desperation move
Saw him in Spring Training this year. Had a great approach, quick hands.
ETA: And he’s one for one.
Lack of options. Bats better than the glove and he was a sub .750 OPS guy. But that’s what happens when you lose Baez and Russell.
But, but, but Baez just wants to play!
Jeff, could he rehab during Arizona Fall league like Schwarber did?
At least we can still watch him in those stupid Toyota commercials
He’s actually quite smooth in those commercials. Like his wizardry with the glove
That seems like a lot of unnecessary work. Why doesn’t he just use his other hand to turn on his TV and watch the playoffs?
“The Cubs announced today that Cubs shortstop Javier Baez”
I want a team making an injury announcement about another team’s shortstop for once.
NICO!
“The Cubs announced today that Cubs shortstop Javier Baez…” just in case you may have thought it was another teams javier baez lol
Cue the stupid “he can still come back this year” comment from Banesays in 3….2….1….
Where the proof?