CINCINNATI – The Cubs lineup against the Reds on Thursday edged closer to full strength, as catcher Willson Contreras and shortstop Nico Hoerner rejoined the starting cast.
For both, their return to action had come the night before, pinch hitting in the ninth inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 loss Thursday. With two runners on, they each made contact. Contreras’ deep line drive to center field was caught, but Hoerner cut the Reds’ lead to one run with an RBI single.
Contreras had missed three games with hamstring tightness, and Hoerner (right ankle sprain) was returning from nearly two weeks on the injured list.