Not only was the Chicago Cubs play not very good over the past couple weeks (or… months), but over the course of that time, the team lost Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant to varying injuries. Rizzo was able to come back a bit early, and while you can see the ankle sprain is still bothering him, he toughed it out during the four-game series verse the St Louis Cardinals. Baez was able to come back and run, and he even pinch-hit in one of the weekend games.
There was news on Kris Bryant, and it is decent news.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1176581295939493889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Baez did try fielding balls today, but it just didn’t turn out too well. His exact words were, “still can’t carch ball.”
So if Baez cannot catch the ball, it is unlikely to see him start any games unless his thumb has a dramatic change. Sure he can pinch-hit or run, but with the chances of reaching the postseason looking more and more dim, shouldn’t they just shut him down and not risk further or long-term damage?
Maybe have Baez run until the Cubs are mathematically eliminated. Perhaps only give him AB’s if it is really late and his bat could change the game. Then, shut him down.
Speaking with someone in the physical therapy world, they mentioned that Bryant’s injury “looked” worse than Rizzo’s. Rizzo’s sprain was higher on the ankle, which limits lateral movement. Bryant’s sprain was lower and could have also strained his plantar and possibly Achilles.
If that is the case, and even though the team says it is a moderately sprained ankle, not all sprains are equal. I would also shut him down for 2019. Once the Cubs are eliminated, and if Rizzo’s ankle still bothering him, shut him down as soon as the Cubs are eliminated as well.
I know I talk in the doom and gloom, and I hope the team finds a way to back into the playoffs. I just do not know if that is logical at this point. But as long as the door is open, go for it.
