Kris Bryant sits out Cubs’ return to Cleveland, eyes Wednesday return

SHARE Kris Bryant sits out Cubs’ return to Cleveland, eyes Wednesday return
screen_shot_2018_04_24_at_7_54_43_pm.png

Bryant with trainer Matt Johnson after being struck in the head by a pitch Sunday.

CLEVELAND — Third baseman Kris Bryant took batting practice Tuesday but was held out of the Cubs’ lineup two days after he was hit in the head by a pitch against the Rockies.

Bryant, who told team officials he felt fine, did pregame work under the supervision of a trainer and underwent a precautionary examination from the Indians’ team doctor.

He has not been put in Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol, and the exam suggested no change in his condition since Sunday, when an initial exam suggested he had avoided a concussion. The Cubs had Monday off.

‘‘He’s not bouncy, but he’s fine,’’ manager Joe Maddon said. ‘‘He’s very lucid. He’s fine.

RELATED STORIES Cubs find Legend of Kyle Schwarber right where they left it: Cleveland How a failed bunt and stranded runner led to the biggest meeting in Cubs history

‘‘I said: ‘Listen, you need to evaluate this yourself. You need to do what you think is the right thing to do. You know how you feel.’ ’’

Bryant’s status was to be evaluated again Wednesday. He was hit in the front of the helmet by a 96 mph fastball from the Rockies’ German Marquez in the first inning Sunday. The force of the pitch spun the helmet, broke his sunglasses and left a small cut above his left eye. He appeared dazed but never left his feet and was helped off the field.

Russell back in lineup

After being taken by ambulance to a hospital in Denver because of an allergic reaction to the postgame meal in the clubhouse Sunday, shortstop Addison Russell was back in the lineup, meaning he didn’t miss a game.

How complete was his recovery? He doubled in his first at-bat and drove a ball deep to center in his second.

‘‘I’m glad everything’s feeling normal,’’ said Russell, who swelled up significantly enough for the team to call paramedics and for him to require IVs at the hospital. ‘‘The vitals are normal, and I’m back to the same routine.’’

Russell is careful with what he eats because of a shellfish allergy, but he didn’t see a label on the item that caused the issue.

‘‘I thought it was lemon chicken, and it turned out to be shrimp,’’ he said.

Other players said they thought it looked like chicken, too.

Rug burn

Most of the visitors’ clubhouse, weight room and surrounding areas at Progressive Field looked unchanged when the Cubs got to the park for their first game there since Game 7 of the World Series almost 18 months ago.

Except for one thing.

‘‘I see that they replaced the carpet, which is nice,’’ Russell said. ‘‘I think we messed it up pretty good.’’

It might have been the most champagne and beer sprayed in a baseball clubhouse.

‘‘Yeah, it was probably necessary,’’ Maddon said of the new carpet. ‘‘So some good things come of all that stuff for the visitors, too. You’ve got new interior decorating.’’

Javy heat

Second baseman Javy Baez, who entered the day leading the National League in slugging percentage (.736) and RBI, drove in run No. 24 with a grounder to second in the seventh inning.

He also extended his hitting streak to seven games with a double in the first, then added another in the ninth. Seventeen of his 23 hits this season have gone for extra bases.

The Latest
The ensemble storyline captures not just a time and place, but a core theme playwright August Wilson continued to express throughout his Century Cycle.
At 70, the screen stalwart charms as reformed thief with a goofball brother and an inscrutable ex.
The cause of the fire was apparently accidental, police said.
The man was found by police in the 200 block of West 72nd Street around 2:30 a.m.
Matt Mullady is known as a Kankakee River expert and former guide, but he has a very important artistic side, too.