Baez shaken up on collision Thursday during double play
Cubs second baseman stays in game, singles and turns two later
MESA, Ariz. -- Joe Maddon was a little worried about Javier Baez after a collision at second base during a double play on Thursday.
"I asked him when was the last time a Puerto Rican had played in the NFL, because he just felt it right there," Maddon said of the crash with the Angels' Kole Calhoun on a double play. "[Baez] got smoked. I didn't know what was wrong with him, but he got hammered. I loved it."
Baez, 22, who did complete the play, stayed in the game and led off the Cubs' first with a single, then stole second and eventually scored. He also turned another double play in the second.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Friday no decision has been made on whether Baez will be on the Opening Day roster. Maddon has been impressed with Baez's defensive play. However, the infielder was batting .159 in 14 games with 16 strikeouts in 44 at-bats through Thursday.