Kris Bryant is out of the Cubs starting lineup against the Cardinals on Tuesday, after receiving a left wrist injection, Cubs manager David Ross announced.
Bryant saw a specialist Tuesday morning, according to Ross. The injection will require at least two days of rest.
"The hope is that he would be back Friday," Ross said, "but there's no way of knowing that until we have those conversations and he picks up a bat and swings and tests it."
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Bryant injured his left ring finger and wrist at Cleveland last Wednesday, diving in on a fly ball to left field. He remained in the game and hit a home run in the next at-bat. Then, he missed the Cubs’ next two games against the Brewers.
Bryant returned to the lineup over the weekend, after testing his wrist and hand with ground balls at third base and batting practice before Saturday’s game. But in four games since returning from injury, Bryant went 2-for-15 at the plate.
"He really wanted to push through, push past it and not make excuses, which I admire," Ross said Tuesday. "But I think at some point you have to be real with yourself and honest."
For Bryant, that point came after the Cubs doubleheader against the Cardinals on Tuesday. He wasn't recovering from the wrist injury he sustained last week as well as he and the team had hoped, Ross said.
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"If we thought it was best for Kris to go on the IL, we would put him there," Ross said. "I think the best thing for Kris and the Cubs right now is, wait and see."
With Bryant out against the Cardinals on Tuesday, Cubs center fielder Ian Happ is penciled in to lead off, and David Bote to play third base.
Tuesday marks the Cubs’ third game in two days, and they are scheduled to play another doubleheader against St. Louis on Wednesday.