CLEVELAND (AP) - Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is out of the lineup against the Cleveland Indians two days after being hit on the head by a pitch.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before Tuesday night’s game that the 2016 National League MVP has a cut above his left eye but no concussion after being hit Sunday by Colorado’s German Marquez.
“I think he’s fine, but getting hit in the head is a pretty traumatic experience,” Maddon said. “Fortunately, it never happened to me, but it happened to him.”
The pitch hit the underside of the flap on Bryant’s helmet, and he was helped off the field. Bryant is batting .319 with two homers and 11 RBIs this season.
Tommy La Stella started at third base and batted fifth Tuesday. Second baseman Javier Baez batted second, in Byrant’s usual spot in the lineup.
Shortstop Addison Russell was in the lineup after experiencing an allergic reaction to a postgame meal Sunday in the Cubs’ clubhouse. Russell, who is allergic to shellfish, began eating what he thought was lemon chicken but actually was shrimp.
Russell spent the night in Denver after being hospitalized briefly and rejoined the team Monday.
“Being taken on a gurney by paramedics was pretty scary,” he said. “I went to the hospital, they gave me an IV, and three hours later I was fine.”
The Cubs are making their first appearance at Progressive Field since beating the Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to win their first title since 1908.
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