A tough night ended on an even more sour note for the Cubs.

During a tough 8-2 loss to the Reds, Nico Hoerner exited the game with what David Ross called right oblique tightness in the 7th inning. He struck out and grimaced while holding his side. He was taken out of the game and headed down into the clubhouse and was replaced at shortstop by Kris Bryant.

It was a tough ending to a strong night for Hoerner, who was 2-for-3 with a double and a single on the night. He was filling in at shortstop for Javy Báez who was out of the lineup for the third straight game with a bruised left heel.

“I think it’s one of those lingering bruises that’s still bothering [Báez] a little bit and I don’t wanna put him in a position, especially playing middle infield, where he can’t plant and be secure on his feet,” Ross said prior to Wednesday’s game.

Báez was able to pinch hit in the game, but Ross stayed away from him in the loss.

Bryant showed his versatility playing his 6^th different position of the season. It was the first time Bryant played shortstop since he played an inning there on May 31, 2016.

Notes

• Jake Arrieta will throw a bullpen session on Thursday. He threw a simulated game on Monday where he threw about 70 pitches.
• Matt Duffy started at second base, playing the position for the first time since June 13, 2015, when he did so with the Giants. With Báez out, Hoerner at short and Bote having the day off, Ross turned to Duffy to man the position.