The Cubs are encouraged by what they’ve seen and heard from an ailing Kris Bryant Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

After a season packed with maladies, Bryant also injured his right oblique muscle Monday night on a swing and left the game after the incident.

On Tuesday, David Ross got good news on Bryant and as of right now, doesn’t expect his starting third baseman to miss the rest of the season.

“It feels better today, which is good news to me,” Ross said. “I think there’s still stiffness in there. The oblique area is a really unique injury. You’re only gonna feel it under real strenuous activity.

“You have to be cautious with this thing. But I talked to him last night — it was definitely tight last night but felt better today, in his words. To me, that’s a good sign. I don’t think we’re anywhere where we feel like putting him in the lineup, but better is good news.”

The Cubs training staff and Bryant are confident he will not need a stint on the 10-day injured list. Ross called it a classic “wait-and-see” approach with the star third baseman and Bryant will not play in Tuesday’s game.

The regular season ends Sunday and the Wild-Card round of the playoffs is set to begin next Wednesday night.

Rather than hold Bryant out of the lineup for that time to rest up and get healthy, Ross would prefer to get him at-bats. Bryant is hitting .195 with a .583 OPS in 138 plate appearances this season and the Cubs could really benefit from a return to health and form for the 2016 NL MVP.

“I want him to be healthy. I also feel like he wants the at-bats and needs the at-bats as well,” Ross said. “I think it’s a balance between protecting him and making sure it doesn’t get worse, which is the No. 1 priority.

“I know he wants to be in there and continue to find his rhythm at the plate. I would like him to be healthy and get the at-bats.”