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The Chicago Cubs received a much-needed sigh of relief Tuesday night following a scare involving veteran outfielder Ian Happ. In the late innings of their loss against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Happ fouled a pitch directly off his left shin and exited in visible pain. While initial concerns suggested a possible fracture or serious contusion, the team later confirmed that the outcome was far more encouraging.
The first update came shortly after the game from the Chicago Sun-Times’s Maddie Lee, who posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with an early report from manager Craig Counsell.
“No diagnosis yet for Ian Happ, who left the game after fouling a pitch off his left shin. He’ll get x-rays, Craig Counsell said, and they’ll go from there.”
Roughly ten minutes later, Lee returned with far better news and provided the clearest update directly from the outfielder himself.
“Update: Happ said x-rays came back negative, which is good news. Said his pain level is “not low” but didn’t rule out playing tomorrow.”
Happ later explained that the pain and a bout of lightheadedness were key factors in the decision to pull him from the game. With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the Cubs can now breathe easier knowing they likely won’t need to seek emergency outfield help. The injury is not expected to require a stint on the injured list, though Happ is likely to rest during Wednesday’s rematch with Milwaukee.
As the Cubs and Brewers head into the final game of their series tomorrow, the matchup carries major implications for the NL Central race. With Tuesday’s loss, Chicago dropped to 62-45, now 2.0 games behind Milwaukee. The Brewers, who improve 64-43, hold a narrow edge atop the division heading into Wednesday's finale.
The 30-year-old outfielder, a three-time Gold Glove winner and former All-Star, has been a consistent piece in the Chicago lineup despite a modest .227 average across 97 games. He’s added 14 home runs, 50 RBIs, and maintained his usual strong defense in the outfield.
The injury update is especially important considering his recent return from an earlier injured list stint due to an oblique strain. Happ was activated on May 20th and had been heating up at the plate before this setback.
With no fracture confirmed and the Cubs holding a scheduled off-day Thursday, there’s optimism that Happ could be back in time for the team’s weekend series. Should swelling or discomfort linger, the team could retroactively place him on the IL, but that decision has not yet been made.
From a front office standpoint, this injury scare briefly raised concerns that MLB trade deadline plans might shift. However, with the outfielder's day-to-day status, the Cubs can remain focused on improving pitching depth instead of scrambling to fill a lineup gap.
As the team battles for positioning in the NL Central standings, the good news surrounding Happ’s health provides stability in a critical stretch. The Cubs will continue monitoring him closely in the days ahead, but Tuesday night’s scare looks to have a relatively harmless ending.
