PITTSBURGH — The Cubs aren’t catching any breaks on the injury front.
On the same day they put infielder Matt Duffy on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his lower back, they also lost one of their biggest contributors to date.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner left the game Tuesday against the Pirates after suffering a strained left hamstring while trying to beat out a bunt in front of the pitcher’s mound in the fifth inning. He made an awkward step before he got to first base and tumbled after touching the bag.
Hoerner lay on the ground in pain while members of the training staff and manager David Ross quickly came to check on him.