CHICAGO — Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong exited Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals with a contusion after fouling a ball off his right knee. Manager Craig Counsell confirmed after the game that X-rays on Crow-Armstrong’s knee were negative and the 23-year-old is considered “day-to-day at this point.”

During his at-bat in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 2-1 loss, Crow-Armstrong fought off Nationals reliever PJ Poulin’s sinker that ran way inside, making the count 1-2. He then asked for time to shake off the pain while Counsell and a member of the Cubs’ training staff spoke to him.

“I’ve never fouled a ball straight off my kneecap before,” Crow-Armstrong said postgame. “I think it’s a new (kind of) pain … It was a good stinger for sure.”

After a few minutes, Crow-Armstrong dug back in and took a six-pitch walk. The inning ended on a grounder that Nico Hoerner hit to short with Crow-Armstrong sliding headfirst into second base, even though Washington shortstop CJ Abrams made the play to first. The slide did not affect his knee at all, Counsell later confirmed.

Recent call-up Kevin Alcántara took over Crow-Armstrong’s center field post for the remainder of the game.

Crow-Armstrong limped slowly around the Cubs’ clubhouse following the game, his knee wrapped in an adhesive bandage.

“I was glad that (Counsell) let me stay in there and finish the at-bat,” he said. We’re just working, so we’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow.”

When Crow-Armstrong reached first base after the incident, he could be seen jogging back and forth and shaking out his leg. It was after the inning was over that he decided not to risk anything further.

“It was one of those moments where I just tried weighing options,” he said. “I’m no use really out there if I’m not moving the way I should be. So I felt that our best chance was not having me move around limply out there today.”

Crow-Armstrong had been having a solid game prior to the injury, collecting a double and a run scored along with the walk. He is slashing .254/.293/.496 (.789 OPS) on the season with 28 home runs, 32 stolen bases and 85 RBI.

While it’s unknown whether the 2025 All-Star will have to miss time, it is still another potential blow to a Cubs outfield that is already without Kyle Tucker — the latter of whom has missed three games while dealing with calf tightness that came about in Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

Should both Crow-Armstrong and Tucker miss Sunday’s rubber match or even beyond, the Cubs’ options to take over in center and right include Willi Castro — who took Tucker’s spot Saturday — Seiya Suzuki and Alcántara. Recalling Owen Caissie, who was sent down last week, could also be on the cards if needed.

[MORE: Kyle Tucker injury update: Cubs star out for third consecutive game]

It’s not an ideal situation for the Cubs with just 20 regular-season games left and a postseason push, but Saturday’s starter Matthew Boyd was the one to emphasize positivity and his belief in the Cubs’ depth chart.

“I mean, it stinks,” Boyd, who threw seven innings of two-run ball, said after the loss. “You never want to see any of your teammates get hurt, whether it’s mild or serious. We know Pete’s going to do what he can to get back out there as fast as he can.

“It’s a next-man-up mentality if he’s not ready to go. The goal is just to win ball games for that C on our chest and whatever’s needed, I know that we have the guys in the clubhouse that get that done.”