(670 The Score) Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is hopeful to return to game action this weekend after suffering a rib injury in a collision with infielder Nico Hoerner in Chicago’s loss at Cincinnati last Sunday.
Happ exited after that collision in the eighth inning and hasn’t played since, but the Cubs haven’t placed him on the injured list as they believe he’s on the verge of a return. He cleared the concussion protocol earlier in the week. Happ isn't in the Cubs' lineup against the Pirates on Friday afternoon.
“Doing all right, getting better, slow process,” Happ said on the Bernstein & Rahimi Show on 670 The Score on Friday morning. “Ribs are healing up. It’s not going as quick as I’d like, but hope to be able to get some at-bats this weekend and help contribute. I’ve watched the team do really well these last three games. I’d like to be a part of it.”
While Happ initially appeared to get the worst of the collision in taking a knee to the head, it’s Hoerner who has already landed on the injured list with a forearm issue.
“Kind of the perfect storm there – game on the line, play that had to be made, Nico and I both going for it, the way that he was going back, the way that I was going in, kind of just ran out of room,” Happ said. “Didn’t really give myself a good exit lane there and then we did everything right – I went low, he went high. He caught the ball, which is the most important thing, but ended up wearing something like a forearm to the nose, knee to the ribs, foot to some other part of the stomach area or body. Not exactly how you draw it up. But obviously things happen really quick.”