Chicago Cubs closer to some healthy returns

The Chicago Cubs' injury situation appears to be getting better by increments.

Shortstop Addison Russell (ankle) and right fielder Jason Heyward (hand) could be ready to play Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres.

Infielder-outfielder Ben Zobrist is aiming for Friday in Miami after an MRI showed no structural damage to his left wrist, which has been bothering him since late May.

Russell and Heyward injured themselves over the weekend in Pittsburgh, and manager Joe Maddon wanted to give each an extra day.

"Truthfully, if we're playing in the playoffs, I'm pretty certain they'd both be playing tonight," Maddon said Monday. "Trying to keep with the mantra regarding their rest. This is perfect example of why it's good to give them that extra day if it's necessary."

Zobrist underwent an MRI Monday morning.

"I'll probably see how it feels on Wednesday," he said. "I've just been not swinging at all the last few days, just trying to let it heal. Wednesday test it out and go from there to see whether I'll be ready on Friday or if we push it back a few days. It just depends on how it feels."

If Zobrist is not ready to return Friday, it's possible he could go out on a short minor-league rehab assignment.

"I can't tell unless I actually swing hard whether I'll be able to do it," he said. "We're not going to push it at this point because Friday is the target. If we end up pushing it back a couple days just to make for sure it's good, then it will probably be either over the weekend or Monday."

An oasis in the desert:

The Cubs are making a brief stop at home after the New York-Pittsburgh trip. After they play three at Wrigley Field against the Padres, they'll head out for four games at Miami, four at Washington and three at Cincinnati.

"Really weird," third baseman Kris Bryant said. "I didn't unpack my bag. I'll just wear the same clothes I wore on the last road trip."

Joe Maddon began his pregame media session by calling the series "part of the 20-day road trip."

First baseman Anthony Rizzo also was asked about the scheduling.

"I have a feeling that a veteran baseball player made that schedule this year," he said. "(Someone) who really knows the ins and out of the game, probably sat down and looked at it and said this was a good idea. I'm completely joking about that. It is what it is. Teams go through stretches of weird scheduling, and this is no different."

Liking the leading man:

Anthony Rizzo led off for the Cubs with a bunt single Monday before hitting a sacrifice fly in the third inning and legging out a triple in the sixth. He entered the game 9-for-22 (.409) as the leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage of .458 since being put into that spot last week.

The Cubs are having fun with the concept.

"I think he called himself the greatest leadoff hitter of all time," Ben Zobrist said. "I guess if you take the numbers out over several years maybe, but he's done a great job the first few days. Might as well keep him there while he's hot."