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.
