Specialist Confirms Cubs' Javy Baez Suffered Thumb Fracture
By Michael Luciano
One of the most exciting and dynamic two-way threats in all of baseball will miss a good chunk of time as his team is in the middle of a fight to the death for a playoff spot.
Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez has been confirmed to have suffered a fractured thumb. While there was no UCL damage, he will still likely be out for the remainder of the regular season. There is optimism that he can return for the playoffs.
Exam by hand specialist confirmed #Cubs SS Javier Baez has hairline fracture of left thumb, no UCL damage. Will continue to rehab in hope of playing in postseason.
— Shaun O'Neill (@oapostrophesd) September 10, 2019
Baez, who finished second in the MVP voting in 2018, has continued to hit up to billing in 2019, hitting .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2019.
Baez's value to the lineup is obvious and massive, but his importance to what they want to do on defense is just as noticeable.
The Cubs are currently 4.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, and their chase for the NL Central crown is in danger of evaporating with this injury.
Cubs' Javier Baez unlikely to return for regular season, hopeful for playoffs. https://t.co/YGln3OUtba pic.twitter.com/Q4ZrzGJAKx
— theScore (@theScore) September 10, 2019
That Chicago lineup is good enough to sneak into the playoffs, but any miracle run they pull off will need to be done without their sparkplug in the heart of their order.