Cubs optimistic Kris Bryant escaped injury after hard hit to head

MILWAUKEE – The Cubs believe they’ve dodged a serious head injury Sunday with All-Star rookie Kris Bryant, but his status for Monday’s opener in a key series in Pittsburgh was in question, pending more concussion tests Monday morning.

“At the moment we believe he’s fine,” manager Joe Maddon said.

Bryant, who said after the game he felt better, was smacked on the helmet by shortstop Jean Segura’s tag on a head-first slide into second in the fifth inning of Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Brewers. The momentum of his slide then created more contact with Segura.

Bryant, who was taken from the game as a precaution, said he wasn’t sure what part of Segura banged his head.

“He got popped in the head a little bit and was a little dizzy,” Maddon said. “I think he’s going to be fine, actually.”

Bryant got through the concussion protocol Sunday but must pass more tests Monday to be cleared to play.

Asked if he thought he’d be able to play Monday, Bryant said, “We’ll see where we’re at [Monday].”

Last month, Cubs catcher David Ross spent a little over a week on the 7-day concussion DL.