Cubs’ Javy Baez leaves game with arm injury after being hit by pitch

ST. LOUIS — Cubs infielder Javy Baez appeared to escape serious injury Sunday night after a scary few moments when he remained on the ground after being hit on the left elbow by a 90-mph pitch from Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty in the third inning.

Baez held his arm in pain as a trainer attended to him, then left the game.

“I’m fine,” said Baez after the game, his arm wrapped. “It’s just really sore. He got me really good right on the elbow, and I thought the pain was going to go away right away, but it kind of numbed my whole arm. It feels pretty sore but right now I’m good.”

The initial diagnosis is a bruise, but Baez is to be examined again Monday to determine whether x-rays are warranted.

Baez, who said he could not bend the elbow for about an hour after he was hit, is not expected to play in Monday against the Dodgers – though he said he hoped to.

One of the team’s leading All-Star candidates, Baez leads the Cubs in homers (14) and is tied for the team lead in RBI (46).

The Cubs’ regular second baseman, Baez started at shortstop for Addison Russell on Sunday night against the Cardinals.

Russell replaced Baez as a pinch runner and took over at short.

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