(670 The Score) When infielder Nico Hoerner returns from his right oblique strain, the Cubs will give him a hard look as their full-time shortstop down the stretch.
Hoerner has started a rehab assignment at Class-A South Bend, where he exited early Sunday following an at-bat in the third inning. Hoerner felt increased tension in his oblique and exited as a precaution, the Cubs said. He's expected to rehab with Triple-A Iowa later this week.
"He will play at shortstop when he comes back," Cubs manager David Ross said Sunday. "He will definitely play there for the most part. It will be nice to get him back and see what he can do at shortstop. Getting a good look at him there would definitely be nice for us."
Hoerner, 24, was drafted as a shortstop out of Stanford in the first round in 2018. He converted to second base in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, when he was named a Gold Glove finalist.
Hoerner had a stellar spring training but was sent to Triple-A to open the season as the Cubs front office turned to a pair of veterans in Matt Duffy and Eric Sogard in the infield equation. Hoerner was then recalled a few weeks into the season.
Most of Hoerner's playing time in 2021 has been at second base as Javier Baez manned shortstop until being traded in late July, but Hoerner has had an injury-plagued season. In addition to his oblique ailment now, he had a hamstring and a forearm injury earlier in the season.
When healthy, Hoerner has played well, hitting .313 with a .776 OPS in 39 games this season. The question for the Cubs moving forward is whether he should be their everyday shortstop of the future. Hoerner proving himself there would be the ideal result, as the recently acquired Nick Madrigal is set to be the Cubs' second baseman in 2022. Madrigal is out for the rest of the 2021 season due to a hamstring injury.
"Nico can be a serviceable shortstop," Ross said. "I think he could be an above-average shortstop. Hey, I don't want to put any labels on guys before they go out and produce. I have seen him play when he came up and replaced Javy, but being the manager in the dugout is a lot different from watching the game from at a 30,000-foot view as a special assistant."
"One thing I know about Nico is he brings the work ethic and the willingness to grow at the position. Look at how fast he picked up being able to handle second base. I have no doubt he can be a big league shortstop on a regular basis. If he can stay healthy and on the field, he is a really nice piece for this team moving forward."
Ross also pointed to Hoerner's baseball acumen.
"He is a special kid," Ross said. "The more you are around him, the more you see the baseball rat mentality from him. He sits and asks me baseball questions all the time."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
