Ben Zobrist has not suited up for the Chicago Cubs since early May. After taking a leave of absence for “personal reasons,” it was revealed that Zobrist was going through divorce proceedings with his wife, Julianna.
There was very little clarity as to whether or not the 38-year-old would return to the Cubs this season, especially considering the 2019 season was likely to be his last anyway.
However, Theo Epstein told reporters that Zobrist will begin a rehab assignment in the near future:
Ben Zobrist to start a rehab assignment soon, per Theo.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 26, 2019
On Sunday afternoon, MLB Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Cubs are hoping to welcome Zobrist back to the major league roster by the end of August:
Cubs are envisioning a Zobrist return around the end of August. They still valued Sogard due to their leadoff issues (but will obviously have to consider other options now)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 28, 2019
Zobrist had gotten off to an extremely slow start to the 2019 season, hitting .241 with a woeful .253 slugging percentage. But the 2016 World Series MVP had been one of the most productive hitters in the lineup throughout the 2018 season, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon said when he went on leave that his personal issues off the field may have been affecting his play.
As Heyman references, the Cubs had been in discussions with the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Eric Sogard. Chicago has gotten little production from the second base position, ranking 19th in the MLB with an 83 wRC+ value.
The Cubs also recently demoted beleaguered middle infielder Addison Russell, who had been suspended at the start of the regular season for violating the MLB's domestic violence policy while struggling with focus issues as of late.
Zobrist would provide positional depth and veteran leadership, both of which could be crucial as the Cubs hope to win a crowded National League Central.
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