27 Jason Kipnis 2B

Kipnis is one of several players the Cubs could use as a DH if MLB adopts a universal DH in 2020, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Kyle Schwarber seems to be most likely to seize a majority of any potential time at DH, but Wittenmyer lists Kipnis, Ian Happ and Steven Souza as others who could fill the role. Schwarber, Happ and Souza are all part of a crowded outfield in Chicago, so playing one of them at DH would get their bat in the lineup and allow strong defenders like Albert Almora and Jason Heyward to patrol the field. Kipnis could battle with the likes of Nico Hoerner and David Bote for playing time at second, so he might also DH some when there's no spot for him in the diamond.

Kipnis (illness) is starting at second base and hitting sixth Saturday against the Reds.

He was scratched from Thursday's lineup with the flu but is ready to get back to work in his quest to win a roster spot with the Cubs after signing a minor-league deal last month.

Kipnis was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rangers after coming down with the flu, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The flu bug looks to be passing around the Cubs' clubhouse, as pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Albert Almora will also be withheld from action due to illness. Assuming Kipnis is able to bounce back quickly from the flu, he should be able to keep himself in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The non-roster invitee is battling with Nico Hoerner, Daniel Descalso and David Bote for the top job at second base.

Kipnis is one of four Cubs players vying for the Opening Day starting job at second base, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Though Kipnis is the most established option of the quartet, the Cubs have the least amount of investment in him, as he was forced to settle for a minor-league deal over the winter after slashing a modest .245/.304/.410 (82 wRC+) across 511 plate appearances with the Indians in 2019. In addition to Kipnis, holdovers Nico Hoerner, Daniel Descalso and David Bote are also competing for the top job at the keystone. Once the regular season arrives, it's possible that manager David Ross takes a committee approach to the position, or opts for a platoon pairing of one of the two lefty hitters (Kipnis and Descalso) with one of the two righty bats (Hoerner and Bote).

Kipnis (hand) is in the starting lineup for the Cubs' spring opener against the Athletics on Saturday.

Kipnis signed with the Cubs on Feb. 11, and he'll serve as a starter in their first game of spring training. The 32-year-old underwent hand surgery in September, but he appears to be healthy now as he looks to compete for a role on on the major-league roster.

Kipnis (hand) and the Cubs agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp Tuesday, pending a physical, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kipnis' physical may be less of a formality than most, as the veteran has battled his fair share of injuries in recent years, including a fractured hamate bone which ended his 2019 campaign prematurely and required surgery. Assuming he passes the test, he'll have a fair shot at earning a bench role in Chicago and could even beat out David Bote for a starting job at second base if the team elects to open with Nico Hoerner in the minors. He's probably not best suited to start at this stage of his career, however, as his glove has declined and he hasn't managed a wRC+ higher than 89 in any of the last three seasons.

Kipnis' (hand) club option for 2020 was declined by Cleveland on Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Kipnis hit .245/.304/.410 with 17 home runs in 2019, but was forced to miss the final week of the season after having surgery on his right hand, which carries a five-to-seven week recovery timeline. The 32-year-old has middling on-base rates and speed, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him carve out a role on another team.

Kipnis underwent surgery Tuesday to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his right hand, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The procedure, which was performed by Dr. Thomas Graham in New York, typically carries a five-to-seven week recovery timeline, meaning Kipnis likely won't play again this season even if the Indians make a deep run in the playoffs. The veteran second baseman appeared in 121 games before suffering the season-ending injury, slashing .245/.304/.410 with 17 home runs and seven steals.

Kipnis (hand) will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Kipnis suffered a fractured right hamate bone earlier in the month and will require season-ending surgery as a result. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Thomas Graham in New York and typically carries a four-to-six week recovery timeline, meaning Kipnis could have a chance to return if the Indians manage to make a deep run in the playoffs. Ryan Flaherty, Mike Freeman and Andrew Velazquez are all candidates to see time at the keystone with Kipnis on the shelf.

Kipnis was diagnosed with a fractured hamate bone Tuesday and will be shut down for season-ending surgery.

Kipnis left Sunday's game with what was originally called wrist discomfort. The surgery carries a recovery timeline of four-to-six weeks, meaning Kipnis could have a chance to return if the Indians manage to go deep in the playoffs without him. Andrew Velazquez was recalled and will start at second base Tuesday against the Tigers.

Kipnis will undergo an MRI on his right wrist Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kipnis was removed from Sunday's contest during the seventh inning with right wrist discomfort. The 32-year-old should be considered day-to-day heading into Tuesday's game against the Tigers until more is known on the injury.

Kipnis was removed from Sunday's game against the Twins in the bottom of the seventh with right wrist discomfort, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Kipnis went 1-for-3 with his 23rd double of the season before he was replaced by pinch hitter Mike Freeman for his fourth plate appearance of the afternoon. The Indians are viewing Kipnis as day-to-day heading into their next game Tuesday against the Tigers.

Kipnis is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

He went 0-for-3 in the day game as the Indians lost 2-0. Mike Freeman is starting at second base and hitting ninth in Game 2.

Kipnis went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run to help the Indians to a 6-2 win over the Angels on Monday.

The veteran checked in with his 17th long ball of the season, tagging Patrick Sandoval with a two-run shot in the second inning. It's been an underwhelming year offensively for Kipnis, but he's strung together three straight multi-hit games to boost his slash line up to .249/.308/.418 across 445 at-bats.

Kipnis went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 5-2 win over Minnesota.

The 32-year-old infielder started September in an 0-for-12 funk but has racked up five hits in his last two contests. Kipnis owns a .716 OPS with 39 extra-base hits this season.

Kipnis (wrist) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

Kipnis will hit his target return date of Wednesday after leaving Saturday's game with a sore wrist and missing three starts. He's back in time to face righty Ivan Nova, a pitcher he's fared well against in a small sample (6-for-12, three extra-base hits). While Kipnis does not rank among the top-25 second-base eligible players in earned value this season, he's done enough to remain viable for the middle-infield spot in 15-team leagues.

Kipnis (wrist) isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Kipnis hasn't seen the field since exiting Saturday's matchup with a sore right wrist, though the Indians are hopeful he'll be available off the bench Tuesday. Mike Freeman draws another start at second base and will bat seventh.

Kipnis (wrist) will sit again Monday against the White Sox.

Kipnis left Saturday's game with a sore right wrist and did not appear in Sunday's contest. According to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, the hope is that Kipnis will be available to pinch hit Tuesday before potentially rejoining the starting lineup Wednesday. Mike Freeman starts at the keystone again Monday.

Kipnis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

The Indians are opposing a right-hander (Charlie Morton) in the series finale, so Kipnis' absence is likely a result of his sore right wrist rather than a pre-planned maintenance day. With Kipnis day-to-day with the injury, Mike Freeman will cover the keystone in his stead.

Kipnis was removed from Saturday's game at Tampa Bay due to a sore right wrist, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Kipnis appeared to have some discomfort during his seventh-inning strikeout and subsequently exited the contest. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the veteran second baseman could receive Sunday off regardless if the Indians want to play it safe.