Chicago's roster has taken a major hit, as it might be without infielder Javier Baez for the rest of 2019.
The Cubs star has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his thumb that will likely bring his sixth MLB season to a premature end, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He suffered the injury in Friday's contest against the Brewers while sliding head first into a base. While he's scheduled to see a specialist Monday to determine a timetable for his return, it doesn't look like he'll be back anytime soon.
Cubs won’t estimate a timeline until Baez sees specialist on Monday. But it would seem his season is over. https://t.co/61ywI0XozB
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 7, 2019
Baez, 26, has been a major impact player for Chicago this season, as he leads the team in hits notching 149 in 133 games. The two-time All-Star is also slashing .281/.316/.532 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs.
This injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Chicago, as it is just 2 1/2 games behind the National League Central-leading Cardinals.