CHICAGO — Just as the Chicago Cubs add a couple of big names to their lineup, they’re missing a few others.
Catcher Willson Contreras was activated from the injured list Tuesday night and homered in the first at-bat of his return to the starting lineup against the Seattle Mariners. He was joined in the lineup by Ben Zobrist, who hadn’t played since May 6 as he dealt with marital issues.
Slugger Kris Bryant was not in the lineup, however. He’s dealing with knee soreness. And shortstop Javier Baez remains out of the lineup after jamming his left thumb on a slide Sunday.
Contreras, 27, has been out a month with a hamstring injury that occurred as the catcher was running to first base in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 3.
He played three games at Triple-A Iowa in a rehab stint, going 1-for-7.
Contreras has had a rebound season, compiling an .890 OPS as a fixture in the middle of the Cubs’ lineup.
The Cubs began the day three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.