Cubs manager Joe Maddon sounded more guarded during Thursday’s pregame media session – maybe even a little distracted by everything buzzing around this team – not quite in the same entertainment mode that usually drives his on-camera performances in the Wrigley Field interview room.
The Cubs delivered the news after a 6-2 win over the Atlanta Braves: An MRI on Addison Russell’s right foot revealed a re-aggravation of the plantar fasciitis that’s expected to keep their All-Star shortstop sidelined for three more weeks.
But the defending World Series champs also appear to be peaking at the right time, surging into September with a 30-15 record since the All-Star break and at a high-water mark this season, 13 games over .500. The Cubs also understand that it is now Javier Baez Time.
“I’m not gonna get tired,” Baez said, “because that’s what I want: I want to play every day.
“To help the team, I will do anything. Playing short is my natural position, so I shouldn’t have any problems with it.”
Putting together all his unique skills, a combination of style and substance, Baez closed out the month with a .290 average, seven homers, 21 runs scored and 25 RBI in 28 August games, still making spectacular defensive plays from the other side of the infield and then getting braids for the pennant race.
“It’s always next man up,” Kris Bryant said. “It is unfortunate, the whole Addison situation, being hurt. I know that he wants to be out on the field – and he’s doing all he can to get out on the field – but sometimes injuries can nag on.
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“Javy’s stepped up and played really great since (Addison) went down. It’s been awesome. And he’s got a new hairdo.”
Russell has been out of the lineup since Aug. 2 and the Cubs are still rolling. But what if Baez gets hurt? Bryant did play one inning at shortstop during last year’s MVP campaign, though even Maddon won’t push it too far in that direction: “I don’t really want to do it based on double plays, but it’s not impossible. He’s just not used to that.”
Maddon sees the same issue with Ian Happ, who’s been taking groundballs at shortstop: “Again, I’m just concerned about guys that haven’t done it. We’re talking a pretty important time of the year.”
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The Cubs will make Triple-A Iowa infielder Mike Freeman – who signed a minor-league deal in early August – part of their first wave of September call-ups. Ben Zobrist – the World Series MVP who looked like he was becoming a part-time player – will now expand his super-utility role.
“We got to get Zo acclimated more there,” Maddon said, “but we also have other ideas that we can maybe reveal tomorrow or the next day.”
The Cubs go into September with: a 3.5-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central; bad teams all over the rest of their schedule; $155 million ace Jon Lester about to rejoin the rotation; and the most exciting “backup” shortstop on the planet.
Baez, a breakout star during last year’s postseason, will keep his leading role at shortstop. Teammates described Russell feeling a snap or a pop that might help focus the daily treatment, streamline his recovery process and get him ready in time for the playoffs.
“Javy’s played unbelievable there,” winning pitcher Kyle Hendricks said. “This team’s so versatile. You don’t notice it too much when a guy like (Addison) goes down. We’ll definitely miss him, but hopefully this is a positive and he can come back in the next couple weeks and make a run with us at the end.”