2021 Chicago Cubs: Happ Leaves Game on Meat Wagon

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Reds" catcher/pinch-hitter Tyler Stephenson hit a pop-up to short center field. Nico Hoerner went out for it, while Ian Happ rushed in, both players with their eyes on the ball. After colliding with Happ, Hoerner would make the play; Happ would lay nearly motionless on the field.

With manager David Ross, trainer P.J Mainville and teammates racing to his side, Happ was finally able to sit up with assistance. The initial collision appeared to involve the contact made by Hoerner to Happ"s right knee. Happ would leave the field with assistance from the stadium"s medically equipped golf cart.

Jordan Bastian, the MLB beat writer for the Cubs, gathered this quote from David Ross following the Cubs" 10th inning, 13-12 loss, “I checked in… I talked to Ian. He feels fine. Pretty good blow to the face. I haven"t heard the doctor"s report yet, but I did talk to Ian and he"s in good spirits."

Also per Jordan Bastian"s article, “Ross said there would be more information on Happ"s status and progress ahead of Monday"s game against the Dodgers."

2021 Chicago Cubs: More than Just an Injury for Ian Happ

There"s no question that Ian Happ has struggled this season, entering yesterday"s game with a sub .160/.300/.250 slash line and only one dinger in his first 26 games of 2021. Prior to the injury yesterday, Happ was seeing the ball well, going 3-for-5, with a homer and three RBIs.

With so many Cubs" players preparing to earn free agency after ths year, the team will be looking to Happ to begin their next wave of potential superstars.

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main image credit Embed from Getty Images