Zobrist hasn't officially announced his retirement but has no plans to play this season, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
If this is indeed the end for the 38-year-old, Zobrist will call it quits after a 14-year career in which he won two World Series rings. He grabbed his first with the Royals in 2015 and helped the Cubs break their drought the following season, winning the World Series MVP in the latter year. Zobrist's career line includes 167 homers, 116 steals, 1,566 hits and a .266/.357/.426 slash line.
Zobrist has yet to decide whether he'll attempt to continue his playing career in 2020 or retire from baseball, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
If Zobrist chooses to keep playing, he'll likely be forced to settle for a minor-league deal or a modest one-year contract coming off a down season in which he slashed .260/.358/.313 across 176 plate appearances while missing multiple months due to a personal matter. In addition to his dwindling production at the plate, Zobrist no longer possesses as much positional versatility as he did during his peak years with the Rays and Cubs. He logged more than two innings in the field at three different spots last season (second base, left field and right field).
The Cubs will use a heavily rotated lineup with nothing left to play for this season. Nico Hoerner slides to second base Saturday, with Addison Russell starting at shortstop.
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Cubs' Ben Zobrist: Sitting Thursday
Rotowire
Zobrist is not in the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.
Robel Garcia is starling at second base in place of Zobrist, who is slashing .295/.377/.410 with one home run in 19 games since returning at the beginning of September.
Zobrist is starting at second base and batting fifth in Saturday's game against the Cardinals.
Zobrist did not start Friday, but manager Joe Maddon is mixing things up as he tries to push the right buttons with the Cubs currently two games back of a playoff spot. The 38-year-old Zobrist, who is slashing .271/.364/.326 this season, has never faced St. Louis starter Dakota Hudson.
Zobrist is not in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.
Zobrist sits after starting six straight games, a stretch in which he hit .400/.478/.650. David Bote gets the nod at second base Friday.
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Cubs' Ben Zobrist: Two hits in win
Rotowire
Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in Monday's 8-2 win over the Reds.
Zobrist delivered from the leadoff spot in this one, pushing his season slash line to .282/.372/.333. The Cubs have used a number of players atop their order this year, including slugger Anthony Rizzo, who is currently sidelined with a sprained ankle. With Rizzo out, it wouldn't be surprising to see Chicago manager Joe Maddon give the veteran Zobrist more run as the leadoff hitter to finish out the regular season.
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Cubs' Ben Zobrist: Connects for first homer
Rotowire
Zobrist went 2-for-2 with a solo homer and two runs scored in a 14-1 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Serving as the second baseman, Zobrist lifted a third-inning home run off James Marvel to make the score 5-0. The 38-year-returned Sept. 3 after taking time away from baseball to deal with a personal matter. Zobrist is slashing .266/.364/.312 in 109 at-bats this season.
