PITTSBURGH — Veteran switch hitter Ben Zobrist said he hopes he’ll only need a week — “maybe less than that.” But the sore left wrist that has bothered him for weeks wasn’t well enough by Friday to keep him off the 10-day disabled list.
The move was backdated to Tuesday, making him eligible to return next Friday in Miami. Taking his place on the roster was infielder Tommy La Stella, who was recalled from Class AAA Iowa and started at third base against the Pirates.
Zobrist, who has played a key role in the Cubs’ lineup, hurt his wrist on a swing May 26 and has been hampered swinging right-handed since.
“But I tried to swing right-handed, and it’s still not good,” he said. “So at this point, you just don’t want to have the team down a player.”
Zobrist expects to get an MRI exam by Monday to try to confirm the injury isn’t more serious than the inflammation issue the team’s medical staff believes it is.
“I don’t anticipate anything awful. I do anticipate hopefully a minimal stay [on the DL],” manager Joe Maddon said.
Zobrist was just 5-for-49 (.102) with two extra-base hits since the injury.
RELATED STORIES
Cubs won’t push Hendricks’ hand injury after setback, could miss weeks
Are Cubs better for extended run with Anthony Rizzo as their GLHOA
