Cubs' Maddon: Javier Baez should be here 'sooner rather than later'

When the Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, infielder Javier Baez could very well be in the lineup.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Baez - the former can't-miss prospect who has spent most of the summer in Triple-A following an unimpressive stint in Chicago in 2014 - could join the Cubs as soon as rosters expand Tuesday.

"I would say he would be (here) sooner rather than later," Maddon told ESPN's Jesse Rogers ahead of his team's clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "There's a lot of things he can do to help you win now."

Optioned to the minors towards the end of spring training, Baez has thrived with Triple-A Iowa this season despite dealing with the death of his sister in April and suffering a wrist injury in June that sidelined him for nearly seven weeks. Through 67 games in the Pacific Coast League, the 22-year-old is hitting .316/.380/.530 with 13 home runs while logging time at second base, shortstop, and third base.

"He's playing well," Maddon said. "Moving all over the place so he gets used to that."