Ben Zobrist to DL for ailing wrist? Cubs to decide Friday

NEW YORK — The Cubs and Ben Zobrist are bracing for the possibility the World Series MVP will need to go on the disabled list to recover from soreness in his left wrist that has persisted for three weeks.

Zobrist, who hurt his wrist on a swing May 26, expects to have an MRI exam in the next two days and be re-evaluated before Friday’s series opener in Pittsburgh.

“It doesn’t feel as bad as it did then,” he said. “It’s just not getting better, as better as I would like it to be.”

Manager Joe Maddon has tried to avoid using the switch-hitting Zobrist from the right side, where the pain occurs when he swings. He’s just 5-for-49 (.102) with two extra-base hits since the injury.

“At this point, it’s just more like am I handicapping the team when I’m not at 100 percent,” Zobrist said. “I don’t want to do that. I want to make sure that when I’m out there I’m feeling better than I have been feeling. I’ve still been able to get a few hits here and there, but I haven’t been able to feel like I’ve been prepared as well as I’d like to.”

The versatile Zobrist also has been bothered by recurring back spasms but said Wednesday the back has felt “pretty good overall” since he got time off a month ago for the last flareup.

Zobrist, who hasn’t played since Monday, said he hopes to play in Pittsburgh. A trip to the 10-day DL could be backdated.

“Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it,” Maddon said. “The big point is to have him well in August and September again.”

Cubs pick son of shooting victim

One day after his mother and eight others were killed in a terrorist shooting by white supremacist Dylann Roof at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, Chris Singleton gave a “love is stronger than hate” speech on the Charleston Southern University baseball field.

“If we just love the way my mom would, the hate won’t be anywhere close to what love is,” he said that day.

Almost two years later to the day, the Cubs drafted the fast, strong-armed, strong-minded outfielder in the 19th round.

“Mature would be an understatement,” said Jason McLeod, the Cubs’ top scouting and player-development executive, who brought Singleton to Wrigley Field for a workout last week. “His faith and religion are priorities in his life.

“Of course, you understand what he went through when he held that press conference the day afterwards,” added McLeod, whose staff considered him a top-10-round talent. “We certainly understand the backstory there, but what I want to make sure doesn’t get lost is this guy’s a really good baseball player.”

This and that

Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who suffered a setback Tuesday with his injured pitching hand, was sent for an MRI exam. Results and updates on what comes next for his rehab and timeline are expected Friday.

• Maddon, the National League manager for next month’s All-Star Game, said he has invited Marlins manager Don Mattingly to be an All-Star coach, joining the rest of the Cubs’ coaching staff. Maddon said he’s awaiting word on whether he has another coaching spot to fill for the game.

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Email: gwittenmyer@suntimes.com