9 Javier Baez SS

Baez posted a .429/.500/.786 slash line with three home runs in 11 Cactus League games before play was suspended.

The electric 27-year-old wasted no time getting into a groove this spring, though it's unclear when he or any other MLB players will be able to take the field again due to the coronavirus pandemic. When play is able to resume, Baez should quickly return to posting elite numbers for the Cubs.

Baez went 2-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Baez looks great in the early going, as he now has two home runs and an absurd 1.914 OPS through five Cactus League games. The 27-year-old has established himself as an MVP-caliber player and should post elite numbers once again in 2020.

Manager David Ross said there are no lingering issues with Baez's thumb, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. "He's told me no. I've asked him that. I asked him that a while back with the training in the offseason, and I haven't heard anything from our training staff on that subject. So as far as I know, he's 100 percent."

A hairline fracture in Baez's left thumb kept the 27-year-old sidelined for the majority of September last season, but it doesn't sound like there are any concerns regarding the injury heading into the 2020 season. Baez, who avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs earlier in the offseason, hit .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 138 games in 2019.

Baez (thumb) reached an agreement with the Cubs for a one-year, $10 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Baez took a small step back from the MVP-candidate form he showed in 2018 but was still quite good last season, hitting .281/.316/.531 with 29 homers and 11 steals. He missed most of September with a hairline fracture on his left thumb. It's not yet clear if the injury will affect him in any way heading into spring training.

Manager Joe Maddon said he doesn't plan on using Baez (thumb) the rest of the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as the Cubs are essentially eliminated from the playoffs. The shortstop put together another stellar season for Chicago, slashing .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs and 11 steals in 136 games. Nico Hoerner should continue to fill in at shortstop for Baez.

Baez (thumb) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Baez was hoping to rejoin the starting lineup this week but is apparently still having issues catching throws. As such, he'll stick on the bench as Nico Hoerner picks up another start at shortstop. With Chicago's playoff hopes dwindling, there's a chance Baez doesn't return before the end of the season.

Baez (thumb) is still having issues catching throws, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Baez played catch Tuesday, and the session evidently didn't go particularly well. It's unclear whether he'll be able to return from a broken thumb before the end of the regular season.

Baez (thumb) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Pirates.

Baez had been hoping to return for this game but evidently needs at least a bit more time. He'll take grounders and play catch Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. Nico Hoerner starts at shortstop in his absence.

Baez is hoping to return to the Cubs' lineup Tuesday against the Pirates, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Baez made a surprise appearance as a pinch hitter Saturday, creating some optimism that he can return to the lineup before the close of the season. On the other hand, after the game, Baez told reporters that his hand still hurt but that he wanted to help the team reach the playoffs however he could, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. That said, a potential return for Baez remains unclear.

Baez (thumb) took some swings Friday but catching throws is still an issue, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Anthony Rizzo recently made a surprise return from an ankle sprain and Baez would surely like to follow suit and help the Cubs, who are now on the outside looking in at a wild-card spot. However, a return during the regular season still seems unlikely. Nico Hoerner continues to fill in at shortstop.

Baez (thumb) has been cleared for light baseball activity, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Baez is making progress in his recovery, and after his exam Thursday, he has been cleared to pinch run while wearing a protective glove if manager Joe Maddon elects to use him in that situation. However, Baez is not out of the woods yet, as his thumb is still preventing him from taking at-bats or playing the field. A target date for Baez to resume full activities has not been set yet, but it was reported earlier this month that he was unlikely to return before the postseason, and given where things stand with just 10 regular-season games to go, it seems likely that is still the case.

Baez (thumb) will be re-evaluated at the end of the week, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Baez could gain clearance to begin rehabbing if his evaluation goes well at the end of the week. He's been out with a hairline fracture on his left thumb since Sept. 7 and is unlikely to return before the postseason.

A hand specialist confirmed that Baez has a hairline fracture on his left thumb, and he's unlikely to play again in September, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Baez isn't expected to return to action before the regular season comes to an end, so he'll begin rehabbing with the hope of being activated for the playoffs, should the Cubs qualify. With Addison Russell still in concussion protocol, look for Nico Hoerner to see the majority of the playing time at shortstop down the stretch.

An MRI revealed a hairline fracture on Baez's left thumb Saturday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Baez suffered the injury on a slide Sunday. He'll be examined by a specialist Monday, at which point a timeline will be determined. It's not yet clear if he has a chance to return before the end of the season or for the playoffs. Addison Russell appears to be the primary shortstop in his absence.

Baez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Baez underwent an MRI on his ailing left thumb Saturday. The results of that test have not been disclosed, so his status for the rest of the road trip is up in the air. Addison Russell is starting at shortstop Saturday with David Bote at second base.

Baez will undergo an MRI on his left thumb Saturday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs haven't been able to figure out exactly what is wrong with Baez's thumb since he injured it Sunday. He hasn't appeared in a game since. He had an X-ray on Sunday which revealed no structural damage, so the Cubs will be hoping for more good news from Saturday's test.

Baez (thumb) is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

He left Sunday's game with thumb and neck injuries and was set to return Thursday but was a late scratch. It's unclear when he will be ready to return to action. Addison Russell is starting at shortstop and hitting seventh.

Baez was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers due to soreness in his left thumb, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Baez was in line to return to action Thursday after missing a couple games with a sore thumb and neck, but he is apparently not ready to play just yet. Baez was replaced in the lineup by Addison Russell.

Baez (thumb) is starting at shortstop and hitting fifth Thursday against the Brewers.

He was removed from Sunday's game with thumb and neck injuries but Thursday's game was generally seen as his likely return date, so all went according to plan. Baez is hitting .235 with one home run and one steal in his last 10 games.

Baez (thumb) isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Seattle, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Baez has been battling both a jammed left thumb and neck discomfort, so he'll be held out of the lineup for at least one more contest. The Cubs have a scheduled off day Wednesday before beginning a four-game series in Milwaukee, so Baez will benefit from an extra day of rest before his status for Chicago's upcoming series is determined.