Never-ending story for Cubs as Kris Bryant scratched on day Cubs returned two to lineup

Trying to get their lineup whole for a strong finish, the Cubs instead continued to play musical gurneys Tuesday against the Mariners.

Catcher Willson Contreras, making a speedy return from a hamstring injury, was back in the lineup exactly one month after getting hurt, and second baseman Ben Zobrist was back after four months of personal leave. But the ink was barely dry on the lineup card when third baseman Kris Bryant’s bothersome right knee flared up. He was scratched, joining shortstop Javy Baez (jammed thumb) on the bench.

“A little hitch in the giddy-up,” manager Joe Maddon said of the recurring discomfort Bryant has dealt with since banging his knee on a slide in late June. “We’ve just got to watch it. I don’t think it’s anything awful.”

The Cubs have Wednesday off, but Maddon wouldn’t predict whether that would be enough time for Bryant to return Thursday for the opener of a big four-game series in Milwaukee.

Bryant looked in need of a day off regardless after slumping in recent weeks (.197 with a .634 OPS in his last 17 games).

And Baez?

“[He] came in feeling a little bit better,” Maddon said. “I’d like to believe he’ll be ready for Thursday, but I can’t tell you that for sure.”

Neither Bryant nor Baez was available in the clubhouse before the game.

The two-guys-back, two-guys-down day seemed to sum up the kind of injury-hampered, depth-challenged season it has been for the Cubs — and now with less than four weeks left in a sweatbox of a playoff race.

“We still have nine good names in the lineup regardless,” said Maddon, who put Ian Happ at third base in place of Bryant and moved Kyle Schwarber to the No. 2 spot in the order. “It would’ve been nice to see what it would look like with everybody, but it just did not want to occur today.”

Can’t count on Yu on Saturday?

Right-hander Yu Darvish, who was scratched from his last start Sunday because of tightness in his forearm, threw on the side yesterday — “a good sign,” Maddon said.

But the Cubs still can’t be sure he’ll be able to make his next start Saturday in Milwaukee as planned.

“Certainly we’re hopeful,” general manager Jed Hoyer said during his weekly radio appearance Tuesday on The Score. “If not Saturday, then hopefully soon after Saturday.”

Darvish has a 2.93 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break, with 72 strikeouts in 55⅓ innings and just three walks.

This and that

In addition to Contreras, the Cubs also activated left-hander Derek Holland (wrist) from the injured list. Their active roster is at 35.

• Maddon on how comfortable Happ is at third base: “He’s very confident anywhere. He could pitch, according to him. He’s a very confident young man.”