According to manager Craig Counsell, Happ first felt discomfort when he got thrown out at third base in the second inning during the Cubs’ 6-5 win over the Marlins on Saturday.
“He got loose today fine, kind of early in the morning,” Counsell said postgame Sunday. “But then as he went out to run, it just didn't feel good. So we scratched him.”
Happ is expected to be tested further on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The Cubs didn't have an update on his status for the opener in Milwaukee postgame Sunday.
On Saturday, Happ led off the top of the second inning with a single and tried to advance to third when Nico Hoerner followed with a single to center fielder Jakob Marsee. Happ rounded second and headed for third before sliding into the bag, but couldn’t beat the throw and tag.
Happ was scheduled to start in left field and bat fifth on Sunday. Instead, Tyrone Taylor replaced him in the lineup, batting ninth and playing left field. He finished 1-for-3 at the plate and made a great catch at the wall in Happ’s absence.
Happ also had plenty of action in left field on Saturday. He made a diving catch off a liner from Marsee in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the fourth, he made a sliding catch on a fly ball by Joe Mack.
He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk in Saturday’s win after going 1-for-4 in the series opener on Friday. For the season, Happ is batting .221 with 23 homers and 64 RBIs.