CINCINNATI -- Kristopher Bryant was back in the Cubs' lineup on Saturday after missing two games because of a sprained right ankle.
Bryant was injured when he awkwardly stepped on the third-base bag Wednesday night at Nationals Park after catching a popup. He missed Thursday's game, and then tested his right ankle prior to Friday's game by doing agility drills, taking batting practice and taking some grounders at third base.
After Friday's game, a 5-0 loss to the Reds, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Bryant had been available to pinch-hit, but he opted not to use him.
"I wasn't too worried," Bryant said Friday about his ankle. "The initial shock was, 'Oh, I sprained my ankle.' I wasn't too worried after the game or over the first night. Just comparing it to other ones I've had, I've had a lot worse ankle sprains."
The reigning National League Most Valuable Player Award winner, Bryant has a .325 average against the Reds, hitting 12 home runs with 37 RBIs, and he has a .300 career mark at Great American Ball Park.