MESA, Ariz. -- Thanks to infielder/outfielder Javier Baez's lingering thumb injury, the door is at least slightly ajar for spring invitee Munenori Kawasaki to make the Chicago Cubs. Baez hasn’t played in over a week and only once since jamming his thumb while sliding headfirst into first base during a game.
“I don’t know when he’s going to get out there again, but I have not heard anything negative in a long-term sense,” manager Joe Maddon said Saturday morning.
The Cubs haven’t made any decisions yet with just nine days until the regular season begins, but if the hand injury persists, Baez could always remain in Arizona to rehab and get at-bats while Kawasaki starts the season as a backup infielder along with Tommy La Stella.