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  3. article_body => "<p>Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the White Sox.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bryant, who's hitting fifth and playing third base, exited Monday's game against the Pirates in the second inning with lower right oblique tightness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Cubs exercised caution with Bryant's oblique, slowly testing it as the week progressed. Friday, he took swings in the batting cage and ground balls, reporting positive feedback to Ross.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"After yesterday\u2019s work, I think he felt really good,\" Ross said Saturday. \"Talking to him after the game last night, he wanted to be in there today.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bryant's return gives him two games worth of at-bats to face live pitching before the postseason. The Cubs, who can clinch the division with a win Saturday, will play their first playoff game next Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Cubs also have some parameters set up for Bryant and others to face live pitching to get at-bats before Wednesday,&nbsp;if needed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>RELATED:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ripping-cubs-kris-bryant-david-ross-jed-hoyer-mark-prior-injuries-bad-covid-19-season-dumb-and-dumber\">Ripping Cubs\u2019 Kris Bryant for injuries, bad COVID season dumb and dumber<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bryant, who's also dealt with ailments to his left&nbsp;wrist and ring finger, back and left elbow, is hitting .195 with a .583 OPS in 32 games this season. But there's no understating how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/why-cubs-need-kris-bryant-back-more-now-ever\">important his presence is to the Cubs' lineup<\/a> entering October.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"I\u2019m excited he\u2019s back,\" Ross said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here's the rest of Saturday's lineup, against Sox rookie Dane Dunning:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<drupal-url data-embed-button=\"url\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Cubs\/status\/1309944283852615683\" data-entity-label=\"Embed social\" data-timestamp=\"1601151448\" data-url-provider=\"Twitter\"><\/drupal-url>\r\n\r\n<drupal-entity data-embed-button=\"app_promo_embed\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:block_content.full\" data-entity-type=\"block_content\" data-entity-uuid=\"84a634bd-85a1-4e39-9e2a-7d404e5646e3\" data-langcode=\"en\"><\/drupal-entity>\r\n"
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  14. description => "The Cubs third baseman returns to the lineup with two games to face live pitching before the postseason."
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  31. author_0 => "Tim Stebbins"
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Cubs

/ by Tim Stebbins
Cubs

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the White Sox.

Bryant, who's hitting fifth and playing third base, exited Monday's game against the Pirates in the second inning with lower right oblique tightness.

The Cubs exercised caution with Bryant's oblique, slowly testing it as the week progressed. Friday, he took swings in the batting cage and ground balls, reporting positive feedback to Ross.

"After yesterday’s work, I think he felt really good," Ross said Saturday. "Talking to him after the game last night, he wanted to be in there today."

Bryant's return gives him two games worth of at-bats to face live pitching before the postseason. The Cubs, who can clinch the division with a win Saturday, will play their first playoff game next Wednesday.

The Cubs also have some parameters set up for Bryant and others to face live pitching to get at-bats before Wednesday, if needed.

RELATED: Ripping Cubs’ Kris Bryant for injuries, bad COVID season dumb and dumber

Bryant, who's also dealt with ailments to his left wrist and ring finger, back and left elbow, is hitting .195 with a .583 OPS in 32 games this season. But there's no understating how important his presence is to the Cubs' lineup entering October.

"I’m excited he’s back," Ross said.

Here's the rest of Saturday's lineup, against Sox rookie Dane Dunning:

 
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