CHICAGO (AP) Chicago Cubs’ Ben Zobrist, who left the team three months ago to deal with a divorce, will begin his minor league assignment in South Bend, Indiana.
Zobrist has been on the restricted list since May 8. The team said he’ll start his assignment with the South Bend Cubs on Friday.
Cubs president Theo Epstein expects the 38-year-old Zobrist will progress to Triple-A as he makes his way through the team’s system in August. Epstein stopped short Friday of providing a schedule for Zobrist’s return, but said he trusts the 14-year veteran’s judgment.
”He would not be attempting to come back if he didn’t think he could play at a high level,” Epstein said. ”He’s well aware of what it takes physically and mentally to prepare, especially at age 38. We’ll make a good decision. He’s not going to come back and embarrass himself.”
Zobrist was the MVP of the 2016 World Series when the Cubs beat Cleveland to end a 108-year championship drought. He was batting .241 with 10 RBIs through 26 games this season and won’t return as ”an everyday player” Epstein said.
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant said teammates will welcome Zobrist’s return.
”I look at his locker every day,” Bryant said. ”Not having him here has been a bummer. He’s a veteran guy with a smile in the clubhouse and we need that sometimes. We’ve certainly missed him; not just what he does in the field, but what he does in here.”
Zobrist, a three-time All-Star, will be the designated hitter with South Bend.
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