MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 12: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs waits in the on deck circle in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 12, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs removed Javier Baez from their spring training game Friday afternoon.
Baez was removed likely for precautionary reasons, but he was visibly in pain after being drilled on the hand by a Cleveland Indians pitcher. Because it’s spring training, the HBP was obviously unintentional.
Javy and the Cubs are in a tough spot, as he’s due a contract extension but is coming off a rough 2020 season, like many stars around baseball. The shortened 60-game campaign was an odd one around the sport, breaking many of these great athletes of their routines and normal expectations on gameday.
Should Chicago Cubs fans be concerned about Javier Baez?
Until we hear more from the Cubs medical staff, yes. Baez is coming off a rough year and the Cubs were hoping to get him off to a solid start in spring training, in hopes of reviving the 2019 version of Javy.
Contract extension talks will be tabled for now as the Cubs work to get Baez back to full strength. Any hand or bone bruise could keep the star shortstop out anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. At this point, however, such talk is only speculation.
We’ll have more information on this story when it becomes available.