Cubs' Baez left game with left elbow contusion, likely to undergo X-ray
Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez was forced to leave Sunday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals after a 90-mph Jack Flaherty fastball hit his left elbow in the third inning.
Baez, who does not wear an elbow guard, was on the field in pain for some time while being tended to by the team's training staff. Eventually, he left the game and was replaced by pinch runner Addison Russell, who also took over at shortstop.
Javier Baez hit with a 90 mph fastball to the left elbow. Baez stayed down in pain for some time before being helped up and removed from the game. #Cubs @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/DpTmEY6leO
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) June 18, 2018
The Cubs announced that Baez suffered a left elbow contusion on the play, and he'll likely to undergo an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. This news followed manager Joe Maddon telling ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast that he didn't believe Baez's injury was "anything serious," according to WGN's Josh Frydman.
"I'm good," says Javier Baez, who isn't sure if his left elbow will even need an X-ray and won't rule out playing Monday night at Wrigley.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) June 18, 2018
Baez entered Sunday's game hitting .255 with a career-high .805 OPS and 110 OPS+ to go along with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. The 25-year-old has split time between shortstop and second base this year.
The Cardinals went on to take Sunday's game by a 5-0 score.