Nico Hoerner leaves game with strained left hamstringRussell Dorseyon May 26, 2021 at 3:03 am

Hoerner injured the hamstring while trying to beat out a bunt in the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 victory.

PITTSBURGH — The Cubs aren’t catching any breaks on the injury front.

On the same day they put infielder Matt Duffy on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his lower back, they also lost one of their biggest contributors to date.

Second baseman Nico Hoerner left the game Tuesday against the Pirates after suffering a strained left hamstring while trying to beat out a bunt in front of the pitcher’s mound in the fifth inning. He made an awkward step before he got to first base and tumbled after touching the bag.

Hoerner lay on the ground in pain while members of the training staff and manager David Ross quickly came to check on him.

‘‘I did not see it at all,’’ Ross said. ‘‘I was watching the play; I was not watching him run. Then I just saw him hit the bag and go down.’’

After several minutes, Hoerner was helped to his feet before gingerly walking off the field under his own power and heading to the clubhouse with head trainer PJ Mainville.

‘‘He’s been outstanding in all aspects,’’ Cubs president Jed Hoyer said of Hoerner last week. ‘‘His offense, his ability to come up and get hits in big spots, his defense . . . I think he has had a really positive impact since [being called up from the minors].’’

There has been an alarming increase in injuries across the majors among position players and pitchers alike. If Hoerner has to miss any time, Eric Sogard and David Bote likely would fill in for him.

‘‘I think with the [trend] we’ve seen around the [majors], I’ve tried to emphasize rest and get guys off their feet as best we can,’’ Ross said.

Cubs farmhand Sergio Alcantara was pulled from Triple-A Iowa’s game and might be promoted to the majors if a roster move needs to be made.

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