Chicago Cubs will know severity of Contreras hamstring injury Monday
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon did not wish to speculate Sunday on the severity of the hamstring injury suffered Saturday by all-star catcher Willson Contreras.
"Just wait for the MRI to get a better understanding of what's going on," Maddon said. "We've got Taylor (Davis) here into town to make sure we're backed up. There's just not a whole lot to report on it. Once we know (Monday) exactly the extent of this, good or bad, we'll try to make a determination after that. I don't want to create conjecture on injury until we're absolutely sure."
Contreras won't have an MRI until Monday, but the Cubs wasted no time putting him on the injured list and recalling Davis from Class AAA Iowa. Victor Caratini now assumes the role of No. 1 catcher.
Contreras injured his right hamstring as he broke out of the batter's box in the seventh inning of Saturday's game. He grabbed the back of his right leg and looked upset as he headed to the clubhouse from the dugout.
The trade deadline has passed, so if Contreras is out for any length of time the Cubs may have to explore an option such as Jonathan Lucroy, recently designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels.
"The guys are always going to be active in that," Maddon said of the front office. "We've moved this whole thing along knowing that Taylor would be next in line. He's done a nice job here before, and the pitchers like to throw to him. Analytically speaking, our guys upstairs love him. If it plays out this way, we're fine."
This is Davis' second stint with the Cubs this season. He also saw action with the big club last year and in 2018.
"The last two years I've been up, we've been in the hunt," he said. "I don't think it changes anything. As a competitor, you're bred to win. You want to win. Every time I've been up here I've wanted to win. There's no difference there."
A breather for Bryant:
Third baseman Kris Bryant did not play Sunday.
"He's got a little bit of a knee thing going on that I'm just being aware of," said Joe Maddon. "He's fine. I'm watching him, and I'm talking to him. I thought it would be the perfect day to give to him today. We've got Tony (Kemp) out there, who I wanted to get in the lineup.
"He could have played today. He would have played today, but I just chose to do it this way."
Bryant has battled mild knee problems since early July.
Stats and stuff:
Cubs starting pitchers have not issued a walk in six straight games for the first time since at least 1905, according to research historian Ed Hartig. … Left fielder Kyle Schwarber is 3 home runs away from 100 for his career. He was 2-for-2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch in Sunday's 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. … The Cubs improved to 19-5 against National League Central teams at home this year.