Cubs Activate Craig Kimbrel and Provide Injury Update on Javy Baez
By Ryan Giglio
The Chicago Cubs are currently fighting for the second Wild Card spot, and still have a chance to actually win the NL Central.
Chicago has played well in September despite being hit with several injuries to important players, and on Thursday, the team got some good news regarding injured stars Javy Baez and Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel will be active tonight
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) September 19, 2019
Kimbrel will be activated from the injured list ahead of Thursday's matchup against the arch-rival Cardinals. The 31-year-old was on the shelf for two weeks with right elbow inflammation.
Regarding Baez, it's being reported that the infielder is now able to take on light baseball activities. El Mago has been out since September 1 after fracturing his thumb sliding into second base.
Baez (thumb) has been cleared for light baseball activity. Pinch running is possible for him now. He’ll wear a protective glove type thing
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 19, 2019
It was originally expected that the electric infielder would miss the rest of the regular season, but now may be available to pinch run.
The Cubs sit just three games behind St. Louis in the division, and the two teams will begin a four-game series on Thursday. Kimbrel anchoring down the bullpen will no doubt go a long way for a unit that has struggled in 2019.
While Baez won't be impacting the upcoming series, maybe there is a chance he is activated in time for the final showdown between the two rivals from Sept. 27-29.