Notes: Marisnick to IL; Cubs recall Wieck

Already without outfielder Ian Happ, the Cubs will now be forced to navigate around the absence of center fielder Jake Marisnick until at least later this month.

Prior to Tuesday's game in Cleveland, the Cubs announced that Marisnick was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) due to a right hamstring strain. Marisnick sustained the injury while chasing down a fly ball in the first inning of Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

"I'm not overly concerned with it," Marisnick said during a Zoom discussion on Tuesday. "It's something that's been a little tight. I tried to really dig in and get to that ball in left-center and felt it go a little more than I'd like.

"But overall, I'm pretty optimistic that this will be something we get taken care of and I can get back rolling."

Manager David Ross said on Tuesday that the injury is considered "mild to moderate," but that no timeline for a return has been established. Chicago's medical team plans on giving Marisnick around five days of rest before reassessing the issue.

With Marisnick out, the Cubs recalled left-handed reliever Brad Wieck from Triple-A Iowa, opting to go with a shorter bench at least to begin the two-game road series with the Indians at Progressive Field. Chicago has an off-day on Thursday before heading to Detroit for a three-game set with the Tigers. Happ (10-day IL, rib contusion) and infielder Nico Hoerner (10-day IL, left forearm) could both be activated as soon as this weekend.

Wieck saw action right away, pitching a 1-2-3 inning with one strikeout in relief of Adbert Alzolay in Tuesday's 3-2 loss.

In the meantime, expect Ross to continue to lean on the versatile Kris Bryant in the outfield. Dating back to when Joc Pederson (since activated) was on the 10-day IL in April, Bryant has played almost exclusively in the outfield, including in center. Entering Tuesday, Bryant had actually logged more innings in the outfield (146 1/3) this season than at his usual post at third base (121 2/3).

"It's pretty impressive watching him do what he's done this year," Marisnick said of Bryant. "I mean, he doesn't complain about it. He goes out and does it, gets his work in and looks good at every position I've seen him play."

In 27 games played this season, Marisnick has hit .264 with nine extra-base hits, 14 RBIs and a .973 OPS. The fleet-footed outfielder dealt with a right calf issue during Spring Training, and his hamstring troubles date back to last season, when he had setbacks with both legs and was limited to only 16 games with the Mets.

"The hard part last year," Marisnick said, "was with the shortened season, not having enough time -- when you're dealing with something like this -- to get it all the way right. And then you're climbing an uphill battle. I think the good thing with this year is you have time and you can properly rehab and get everything right."

Other injury updates

• Shortstop Javier Báez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with tightness in his lower back, which was also an issue on Saturday and Sunday. Ross described the issue as "day to day" and did not rule out having Báez back in the fold on Wednesday.

"I just really don't want to push it with an off-day [coming on Thursday]," Ross said. "If he feels better [on Wednesday], he'll be in there."

• Right fielder Jason Heyward was pulled from Sunday's game late due to an issue with his right hand but was back in the lineup on Tuesday. Ross said that Heyward had "no complaints," but noted that it may have been a bone bruise.

"I checked with him last night and he was all good, ready to go," Ross said prior to Tuesday's game. "He just thinks maybe it's something he did on a swing."

• Ross noted that Hoerner has continued to hit and go through infield work in an effort to come off the IL this weekend. He added that things have gone "a little slower than anticipated" for Happ but that the outfielder is showing improvement.

• Right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-day IL, right thumb) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Cleveland, per Ross. Arrieta looks to be on target to come off the IL as early as Friday in Detroit.