Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was out of the lineup Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of a right oblique muscle injury suffered during an at-bat on Monday.
Manager David Ross said Bryant was feeling better and did not need an MRI on his tight oblique, but he was ruled out for Tuesday's game.
"I definitely feel like it's frustrating," Ross said after Monday's 5-0 win. "He was pretty emotional [in the clubhouse]. It's a unique year, and he's dealt with a lot."
Bryant injured himself on a swing in the top of the second inning. He stayed in the game but was taken out an inning later in favor of David Bote.
Bryant has had a myriad of smaller injuries over the past few years, including a wrist and finger issue this season. He was a late scratch one game due to a gastrointestinal problem that wasn't related to COVID-19. The starts and stops haven't helped Bryant's production, as he's hitting .195 with five RBIs in 32 games during the shortened season.
"He's one heck of a player," teammate Kyle Schwarber said. "Whenever he's in the lineup and up at the plate, we think something good is going to happen."