Williams takes Arrieta's place in rotation Sunday

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Trevor Williams will start Sunday against the Cardinals, the Cubs' last game before the All-Star break, in place of Jake Arrieta, manager David Ross announced Thursday.

Arrieta landed on the injured list Wednesday with right hamstring tightness. Even before that move, Ross on Tuesday night didn't commit to the veteran making his next turn in the rotation, saying he'd have to "look at" who would start Sunday.

Arrieta allowed seven runs in 1 2/3 innings Tuesday, his second consecutive start of that length. Over his last 12 outings, he's 2-7 with an 8.55 ERA.

With the break coming up, Arrieta has a chance to refresh physically and mentally.

Despite speculation that Arrieta might be done as a Cub, team president Jed Hoyer said the club isn't giving up on him.

"Given what he's done for us in his career, the highlights he's had and the talent he has, you want to exhaust everything," Hoyer said Thursday.

"Obviously he was struggling, but I think that with a few tweaks, he might well get back to being a really good starting pitcher again.

Arrieta pushed back Tuesday on the notion he could be nearing the end of his career.

"No, not even close," Arrieta said. "This sucks. Really, it does. But I'm not going to hang my head. I'm going to continue to work and do whatever needs to be done."

Williams rejoined the Cubs from a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa this week and pitched 3 2/3 innings Tuesday. He allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits, throwing 74 pitches.

Kris Bryant, Javy Báez out of lineup

Cubs stars Kris Bryant and Javy Báez were out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Phillies due to injury.

Both players are considered day to day, Ross said,

Báez sprained his right thumb in his first at-bat Tuesday, later hitting a pair of home runs. He was a late scratch Wednesday and is still "a little sore," Ross said Thursday.

Báez made himself available off the bench Wednesday and that remains the case Thursday, the Cubs skipper added.

Bryant exited Wednesday's win with right hamstring tightness. He woke up Thursday "achy," according to Ross.

"He’s moving around now trying to get that going," Ross said pregame of Bryant. "We'll see where he's at come game time."

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