Jose

Lobaton

Lobaton suffered the injury on Tuesday night when he collided with Brewers closer Josh Hader near the first base bag and landed hard on the ground. He’ll obviously be out a while.

Lobaton was trying to beat out an infield hit in the top of the ninth inning when he collided with Brewers closer Josh Hader at the first base bag and went tumbling. He grabbed at his right shoulder and looked to be in extreme pain. Chicago may have to turn to yet another backup catcher.

Rizzo had to leave Sunday’s game with lower back tightness. It’s an ailment that flares up on him from time to time and it’s typically a day-to-day situation. He could be available off the bench. Kris Bryant is at first base Monday. The Cubs are also giving Willson Contreras a day off, as Jose Lobaton is catching.

It appears to be a routine maintenance day for Contreras, who has started seven of the team’s previous eight games behind the plate. It’ll be veteran journeyman Jose Lobaton getting the call behind the dish on Saturday afternoon in his place. The 29-year-old backstop should be back for Sunday’s series finale at Wrigley Field.

Lobaton has spent parts of nine seasons in the majors but this will be his first stint in the big leagues since 2018. He’ll serve as the backup to Willson Contreras.

Ryan and Norwood both figure to ultimately make plenty of appearances in the Cubs’ bullpen this season. Marquez is the team’s top pitching prospect and will be part of Iowa’s rotation.

The 36-year-old backstop spent the 2020 campaign at the Cubs alternate training site, but never earned a call to the big leagues. In fact, he hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2018. With Willson Contreras and Austin Romine set to be the regular catching duo for the Cubs in 2021, Lobaton will serve as organizational depth behind the plate.

Lobaton was at the Cubs’ alternate site after signing a minor league deal in mid-July. The 35-year-old hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2018 as a member of the Mets.

The move could be related to Victor Caratini having to play more first base with Anthony Rizzo (back) banged up. Either way, Lobaton is merely a depth piece.

The Dodgers wanted to add some catching depth with Keibert Ruiz (finger) injured in the minors. Lobaton is a career .215/.293/.319 hitter over parts of nine seasons in the majors.