Notes: Javy on Clemente; Heyward returns

CHICAGO -- During one of the Cubs' past trips to Pittsburgh, Javier Báez made a point to check out the Roberto Clemente Museum. It was a small way for the Cubs shortstop to recognize the legacy of one of baseball's icons and a legendary figure in Puerto Rico.

"It was something special," Báez said.

For Wednesday's game against the Reds, Báez and Cubs catcher Victor Caratini -- both natives of Puerto Rico -- were among the players around Major League Baseball to don No. 21 as part of a Roberto Clemente Day celebration. The shortstop had a difficult time expressing just how much it meant to wear that number.

"For our island, wearing No. 21 is going to be a big thing," Báez said. "It's going to be bigger than people think."

Asked why he felt that way, Báez pointed to all the humanitarian work that Clemente did away from the diamond. That part of Clemente's story included Dec. 31, 1972, when he died at 38 years old in a plane crash while en route to Nicaragua to aid victims of an earthquake.

Each year, MLB honors one player from each team as nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

Jason Heyward is this year's nominee for the Cubs, and he believes that Clemente's No. 21 should be retired across baseball, as is the case with No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson.

"He left a mark," Heyward said. "For me to be a nominee for the award this year, it's all about humility, giving back and putting others before yourself. I feel like, how can you not retire a number like that in our game of baseball?"

Báez agreed, adding that he hopes all players will wear the number on Roberto Clemente Day in future seasons.

"This jersey is going to in a special place in my house," said the shortstop.

Heyward on mend, back in lineup
Heyward returned to the lineup on Wednesday, following a health episode on Sunday that included light-headedness and shortness of breath. The veteran outfielder passed a series of tests over the past few days and was cleared to rejoin the team.

"It feels good to be back," Heyward said. "I feel a lot better mentally, physically, knowing that I was in good hands, did every test imaginable to make sure that I'm healthy and that I won't be harming anyone around me as well."

Heyward said the shortness of breath began during his first at-bat on Sunday against the Cardinals, and he exited after the issue would not subside. Initially, he was worried that the issue might be COVID-19 related, but multiple tests came back negative in the past two days.

"It came out of nowhere," Heyward said. "Yes, naturally, that was a big concern of mine, for sure."

Worth noting
• Cubs manager David Ross gave third baseman Kris Bryant a day off from starting on Wednesday. Bryant was hit on the left elbow by a fastball from Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle in the third inning of Tuesday's 3-0 win, but the third baseman stayed in and played the rest of the game.

"Yeah, he was pretty sore last night," Ross said Wednesday. "Swelled up pretty good after the game. I just think it made a lot of sense to give him a day. I'm sure he'll be available off the bench."

• Lefty Andrew Chafin (10-day injured list, strained finger on left hand) played catch at Wrigley Field prior to Wednesday's game. The Cubs have not announced a firm timetable of return for Chafin, but he threw off a mound Monday, per Ross.