Talk of Ben Zobrist’s return has been hedged and couched six ways from Sunday since the 38-year-old super-utility player took a personal leave from the Cubs on May 7. He’s gone through a divorce as has opted to remain with his family during that time for a variety of reasons, but whether and when he’ll come back to play out the remainder of his contract remains an open question.
Jed Hoyer said in mid-June that the Cubs were “hopeful” for a return and presented it as a matter of when rather than if. Theo Epstein seemed much less certain when he spoke to 670 The Score’s Bernstein & McKnight a few days later.