Top prospect Kris Bryant, who hasn’t played in the field in more than a week because of “shoulder fatigue,” is expected — barring setback — to be in Saturday’s lineup, playing third base, against Seattle, manager Joe Maddon said.
Bryant leads the majors this spring with six Cactus League home runs (plus another in a “B” game Thursday).
Bryant’s hitting hasn’t suffered while DH-ing the past week — and answering questions raised when his agent, Scott Boras, challenged the Cubs’ commitment to winning based on the likelihood Bryant will be sent down to the minors to start the season (to keep him from accruing enough service time to become a free agent after the 2020 season instead of 2021).
He’s 10-for-23 (.435) this spring with three walks, eight extra-base hits, a 1.804 OPS and nine RBIs in nine Cactus League games. Plus that two-run homer in the “B” game.