Javy Baez Out of Cubs Lineup Due to Thumb Injury

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a tight Wild Card race and could be without their star middle infielder for the foreseeable future.

Shortstop Javy Baez is not in the lineup Monday after exiting the game early on Sunday due to a thumb injury sustained against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Javy Baez (thumb) not in Cubs' lineup Mon. https://t.co/TkNWPxYJFx
— Rotoworld Baseball (@Rotoworld_BB) September 2, 2019

It's unclear how much time Baez will miss, but it's likely he returns sooner rather than later. X-rays after the game came back negative, and Baez is listed as day-to-day as the team learns more about the thumb injury.

If Baez has to miss significant time, that could hurt Chicago's chances of holding onto that second Wild Card spot in the National League. Baez is a force in the middle of that lineup, and teams like the Phillies and Brewers are slowly creeping up in the race.

Jammed left thumb for Javy Baez on that stolen base. Maddon said it locked up to the point where Javy was struggling to hold a bat, so they took him out of the game.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) September 1, 2019

As it stands, the Phillies sit 2.5 games back of the Cubs, while the Brewers are only three games behind Chicago. An extended absence from Baez, who is hitting .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBI this season, could be devastating for the Cubs' playoff chances.