Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant leaves Tuesday’s game with calf tightness

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant exited Tuesday night’s game in the eighth inning due to calf tightness. However, Bryant is confident that he will play on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant started hot in Tuesday night’s 8-3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. In four at-bats, Bryant went 2-for-4, hitting his fifth home run and first triple of the season.

Unfortunately for Bryant, Tuesday’s game ended prematurely for him before he could do any more damage. During the eighth inning, he was removed from the game early due to calf tightness. Albert Almora pinch-hit for Bryant, hitting a single into left field.

Fortunately for Bryant and the Cubs, though, removing the reigning MVP from the game was more of a precautionary move than anything. According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Bryant looks set to play in Wednesday’s game.

Losing Bryant even for a couple of games would be tough considering how hot he has been lately. After an April 17 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers, Bryant was hitting .212 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Starting with April 18 against the Brewers, Bryant has hit safely in 12 of 13 games. In those 13 games, Bryant has three home runs and nine RBI; his batting average has risen up to .291, highest amongst regular Cubs starters.

Should Bryant fall victim to injury at any point this season, the Cubs have several options to play the hot corner. The most logical alignment would be to play Javier Báez at third, allowing Ben Zobrist to play second as opposed to the outfield.

Zobrist has played an admirable corner outfield this season; however, having a “natural” outfielder in Jon Jay, Almora or Matt Szczur start is the best defensive lineup for the team. Báez actually played 62 games at third base last season, more than he did at any other position.

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If Báez were to play there in place of Bryant, the Cubs would be in good hands. The Cubs have enough depth and versatile players to handle players missing games here and there. From what Bryant said during his postgame interview, though, it seems that he will be just fine before Wednesday’s series finale.