CHICAGO -- Cubs catcher Miguel Montero was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of a stiff back, and his status was day to day. David Ross started in place of Montero, who was available if needed later in the game.
"I did not want to start [Montero] and have him come out of the game because the back was stiff," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I prefer starting David and have Miggy inside to get worked on."
Montero played with the sore back in Cincinnati on Saturday and Sunday.
"We thought it was fine, but this weather is probably not helping things today," Maddon said of the chilly temperatures at Wrigley Field.
Montero said he felt fine when he woke up Tuesday but then went to lunch and his back tightened up as he was getting up from the table.
"It's nothing crazy," Montero said. "I don't want to irritate it again."
The Cubs expected to carry three catchers this season with Kyle Schwarber joining Montero and Ross, but Schwarber suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. So, who is the Cubs' emergency catcher? First, Maddon said bullpen catcher Chad Noble, then picked Javier Baez, who has started at second, shortstop and third base this season.
"Javy can go back there in a heart beat," Maddon said.