SAN DIEGO -- Desperate times call for desperate measures, so the Chicago Cubs are calling up 2018 first-round pick Nico Hoerner from Double-A Tennessee to play shortstop while Javy Baez and Addison Russell are on the mend.
Hoerner, 22, compiled a .743 OPS in 70 games at Double-A and is slated to play in the Arizona Fall League, but the Cubs need him now. Baez is seeing a hand specialist on Monday after he was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left thumb, while Russell is in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers after getting hit in the face by a pitch.