Almora returns after scare in intrasquad game

CHICAGO -- Outfielder Albert Almora Jr. gave the Cubs a brief scare on Friday night, when he crashed hard into Wrigley Field's center-field wall and momentarily exited the intrasquad game.

In the fifth inning of the Cubs' scrimmage, Kris Bryant drove a pitch from closer Craig Kimbrel deep to straightaway center, where Almora sprinted back in an effort to chase it down. Almora hit the bricks and ivy as the ball escaped his reach, and dropped to his knees in obvious pain. He was met on the warning track by manager David Ross and head athletic trainer P.J. Mainville, and walked off the field slowly after a brief conversation in the outfield.

Almora sustained what the Cubs called a mild left rib contusion and was initially replaced in center by Steven Souza Jr. By the bottom of the fifth, though, Almora was able to return to the game. He slotted into the order behind Willson Contreras and delivered an RBI single upon rejoining the action.

In the top of the sixth, Almora retook his place in center field and was tested when Jason Kipnis sent a fly to his right. Almora ran over, made the catch with a wide smile and pumped his right fist in the air in celebration, as left fielder Kyle Schwarber grinned nearby.