Cubs’ Bryant out of lineup against Cardinals with finger sprain

Two days after he sprained his pinkie finger on a head-first slide, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is day-to-day and won’t play in the series opener against the rival Cardinals.

Manager Joe Maddon said he wasn’t sure Bryant would play this weekend. He also said that Bryant has soreness and difficulty gripping a bat. Maddon said Friday morning that he has not spoken with Bryant, but received word from Cubs trainer P.J. Mainville that Bryant was still experiencing soreness.

Maddon said once he spoke with Bryant, he would have a better idea of how the reigning National League Most Valuable Player was feeling. Maddon was hesitant to put a definite timeline on Bryant returning from the injury.

“I’m just trying not to draw any conclusions right now,” Maddon said.

Bryant left Wednesday’s game against the Braves in the first inning after he injured his finger on the slide.

Bryant attempted to advance to third base on a ball dropped by the catcher. He jammed his finger into the cleat of Braves third baseman Johan Camargo. In addition to cutting his finger near his finger nail, Bryant’s pinkie finger and ring finger splayed, which caused a sprain at the crease of his fingers.

Bryant is hitting .275 with 19 homers and 40 RBI.

Javier Baez will start at third base and bat ninth for the Cubs Friday while Jason Heyward will move into the leadoff spot. Jake Arrieta (9-7) makes the start for the Cubs, who are seeking their seventh straight victory.

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