Javy Baez (thumb) not in the starting lineup against the MetsRussell Dorseyon June 14, 2021 at 11:37 pm

It’s the second straight game Baez hasn’t started while nursing a thumb injury he sustained on Saturday.

NEW YORK – Shortstop Javy Baez was out of the lineup on Monday against the Mets with a sore right thumb. It was the second straight game Baez has been out of the lineup after he was a late scratch before Sunday’s win against the Cardinals.

Baez injured the thumb attempting to dive into the stands for a popup in foul territory on Saturday. The Cubs’ shortstop did infield drills before the game and hit in the cage after receiving treatment with the team’s training staff.

It’s the second thumb injury in consecutive weeks for Baez, who dealt with soreness in the lower part of the thumb during the Cubs’ West Coast trip. This time around, he feels the discomfort closer to the knuckle.

“It doesn’t feel that bad,” Baez said before the game. “I just don’t like to be out with small things like this.”

The Cubs continue to try to tread water despite several players dealing with various injuries, but they’re starting to get some players back and have a few more on the way.

Manager David Ross said on Monday that infielders David Bote (dislocated left shoulder) and Nico Hoerner (left hamstring strain) have both started to swing the bat. Infielder Matt Duffy (lower back strain), who has ramped up his baseball activities in recent weeks, will likely begin a rehab assignment soon as long as things continue to trend in the right direction.

Right-hander Trevor Williams (appendicitis) has continued to throw and will see the doctor for a second follow-up to get the green light to return.

No breaks for the Cubs in the Big Apple

The Cubs have been able to perform on what was going to be a challenging month of June and as they try to have that success continue against the Mets they’ll have to go through some of New York’s best.

The Cubs missed both Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman during their first clash in Chicago, but will see both on the back side of their four-game set against the Mets.

“I think you assess daily whoever’s on the other side pitching when you’re facing some of the best,” Ross said. “Obviously, Jacob deGrom is one of the best in this game. That’s a nice test for us. Marcus Stroman is having a great season. We just faced another really good one in San Diego in Yu Darvish, who’s really good.

“I think we’re tested nightly. You can never let your guard down. You have to bring it every single day. [The Mets] are a good team in first place in their division, so I think every test on every game in this series will be big and we just try to keep that momentum going and play the good baseball we’ve been playing.”

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