The Chicago Cubs are already giving Kris Bryant extra rest to try and combat his nagging shoulder injury, while closer Brandon Morrow is on the DL and Yu Darvish might be back in the middle of August at the earliest. Add in two horrible losses against the Arizona Diamondbacks at home and the news of Javier Baez leaving Tuesday's game early definitely didn't do anything to help ease any of the built up tension this week for fans.
Baez took a direct hit to his left knee in the seventh inning, when Steve Souza tried to stretch a single into a double. Souza had nowhere else to go on the slide to second base and that resulted in the following.
[video width="960" height="540" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Almora-Jr-throws-out-Souza-Jr-07242018-MLBcom.mp4"][/video]
Baez finished the inning on defense, but was then lifted after Ben Zobrist came in to pinch hit as part of a double-switch.
Later in the game, Steve Cishek hit Souza with two outs and a runner on in the ninth. Souza took exception to that and had some words with Anthony Rizzo at first base.
The good news for now is that Joe Maddon believes it's not a huge deal for Baez, who could be back in the lineup for Wednesday's afternoon game against Arizona.
So, fingers crossed that's it's nothing more than a bruise for Baez.
