Is Nico Hoerner playing tonight? Latest injury update for Chicago Cubs vs Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday as the team dropped their first game of the season against their National League Central rival but the loss may carry added weight for the Cubs as second baseman Nico Hoerner was forced to leave the game early.

While advancing from first to third on a double hit by shortstop Dansby Swanson in the bottom of the fifth inning, Hoerner appeared to have suffered a leg injury and was removed from the game in favor of Nick Madrigal.

Shortly after Hoerner was removed from the game, the Cubs announced that the second baseman was pulled after experiencing left hamstring tightness. Patrick Mooney of The Athletic noted that Hoerner will undergo more testing on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury.

Hoerner having to miss any significant amount of time would be a major blow to the Cubs considering the impact that he has at the top of the lineup for the team as well as defensively at second base. Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman touched on that importance while speaking with reporters after Monday's game.

"“He’s incredibly important,” Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman said. “He’s truly one of the most underrated players in the league. Everything he does all around on the field — defensively, offensively, how he battles, never gives away an at-bat, how clutch he is — it’s hard to put into words how instrumental he is to our entire team. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.”"

Marcus Stroman via The Athletic

Is Nico Hoerner in the Chicago Cubs Starting Lineup tonight?

Chances are that regardless of what the tests reveal on Tuesday, Hoerner will not be in the team's lineup for their game against the Cardinals. Christopher Morel was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday and would seemingly be the next man up for the team if Hoerner is forced to miss time.

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