Cubs' Bryant out with recurrence of shoulder inflammation
CHICAGO (AP) Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was held out of the starting lineup against Arizona on Tuesday night with a recurrence of the left shoulder inflammation that caused the slugger to miss 16 games.
Bryant did not play between June 22 and July 11 because of the shoulder pain, which bothered the two-time All-Star on the follow-through of his swing. Manager Joe Maddon said Bryant also could miss Wednesday's game.
''He's a little bit sore and I have to be proactive with that,'' Maddon said. ''I want to be sure we're not pushing him too hard right now.''
Maddon said the 2016 NL MVP felt pain again on a swing during Monday night's 7-1 loss.
''Rest would be the best thing for it right now,'' Maddon said. ''We're just trying to manage it and get him through the season.''
Maddon didn't know if Bryant's condition might require more aggressive treatment during the offseason.
Bryant is hitting .276 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs, including .250 with two homers and eight RBIs since returning from the DL.
Cubs starter Yu Darvish, who has not pitched since May 20 because of right elbow impingement and inflammation, threw a 16-pitch bullpen session that was without discomfort, according to Maddon. Darvish is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight games since signing a $126 million, six-year contract.
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