Chicago Cubs: Ben Zobrist starting to work his way back

Chicago Cubs’ veteran utility man, Ben Zobrist is scheduled to start working his way back to the Cubs. He is expected to join the Cubs Class-A affiliate.

Ben Zobrist has been a huge piece of what the Chicago Cubs have done over the last few years. From winning the World Series MVP of a championship that had not been done in 108 years. To be a super-utility man being able to play many different positions. On top of all that being a great clubhouse presence.

Zobrist got off to a very slow start in 2019. In 83 at-bats he had 20 hits (.241) with zero home runs and 10 RBIs. It wasn’t the start that Zobrist or the Cubs wanted. Especially from a guy that they have grown to expect so much out of.

Zobrist has been on the restricted list since May 8, dealing with personal issues. The Cubs have missed Zobrist’s presence on the field and in the clubhouse.

The Cubs announced yesterday that Zobrist would begin the road back to playing on the big league team.  He will start a rehab assignment with the Class-A South Bend Cubs starting tonight.

Cubs president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein spoke today about the plan they have for Zobrist in South Bend. He will be in the lineup all weekend starting tonight as the DH. If everything goes well this weekend, they with see on Monday how Zobrist is feeling and go from there.

The Cubs certainly don’t want to rush Zobrist back because of how late in the year it is already. He will play rehab games for most of August to try and make sure that he will be ready to join the big league team by the beginning of September. Zobrist has to return to the 40-man roster by August 31st to be eligible for the playoffs.

Now any Cubs fan should be excited about the possibility of Zobrist coming back to the team, but he is not going to solve all the problems. It will defiantly be a boost to the team when he gets back, especially to the Cubs bench who has not been good so far this year. Being able to use Zobrist in pinch-hit situations will be huge for Joe Maddon.