Cubs' Bryant batting 3rd in return from 16-game absence

Kris Bryant is back.

The Chicago Cubs superstar is batting third and playing third base in his return to the lineup Wednesday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants.

Bryant was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 26 and has missed the last 16 games due to shoulder inflammation.

His activation is the source of much excitement in the Cubs' clubhouse. Second baseman Javier Baez doesn't mind being dropped down in the order after serving as the team's primary three-hole hitter in Bryant's absence.

"I'll bat wherever," Baez said, according to Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune. "I'll bat 12th in the lineup if I have to."

Baez is batting fifth, so no worries there.

Prior to the injury, Bryant was hitting .280/.383/.481 with nine home runs in 66 games.