Chicago Cubs

Cubs manager Joe Maddon says Javier Baez (thumb) remains available off the bench as a pinch-runner. (Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Baez pinch-ran and scored a run on Thursday, but he still isn't able to play regularly. He could potentially play in the post-season but won't have any fantasy value for the rest of September.

Anthony Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: The slugger returned from an ankle injury Thursday and, while he did leave the yard, it was clear he wasn't playing at 100 percent. He's batting .289 this season with a .403 OBP.

Craig Kimbrel was saddled with the loss Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit in 0.2 innings. He struck out two.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel was activated from the injured list before the game, and Matt Carpenter spoiled his return with a go-ahead home run in the 10th inning. Kimbrel owns a 5.95 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 19.2 innings this season.

Kyle Hendricks did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Fantasy Impact: Hendricks has allowed just one run in each of his last three starts, but he couldn't keep that streak going on Thursday. He still owns a solid 3.37 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 145:32 K:BB across 171 innings this season. He'll take on the Pirates next on Wednesday, which should be his final start of the season.

Willson Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: Contreras's home run came in the seventh inning and knotted up the game at 2-2. He's batting .308 in 39 September games, and the Cubs will hope to see him keep this up as they push towards the playoffs.

Jon Lester did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Reds, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over five innings, while striking out five.

Fantasy Impact: Lester fired 49 strikes in his 77 pitches, and left with the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning. He bounced back nicely from a couple rough outings, and now holds a 4.51 ERA and 161:52 K:BB through 165.2 innings this season. He'll take on the Pirates next on Tuesday.

Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: Schwarber saw the ball well Tuesday, but the rest of the Cubs did not. He's continuing to put together a solid campaign, batting .239 with 37 home runs.

Yu Darvish (6-7) took the loss Tuesday against the Reds, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk across seven innings. He struck out 13.

Fantasy Impact: Darvish took the tough-luck loss Tuesday despite punching out 13 and largely minimizing the damage across seven innings. Over his last two starts, Darvish has struck out 27 batters across 13 innings. He'll take on the Cardinals next on Sunday.

Cole Hamels allowed two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four through 3.1 innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Monday.

Fantasy Impact: Hamels struggled with his command, issuing five walks and tossing 73 pitches across 3.1 innings. On the season, he owns a 3.92 ERA and has recorded 135 strikeouts through 26 starts. He'll take on the Cardinals next on Saturday.

Ian Happ went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's beatdown of the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact: Happ filled in for Anthony Rizzo after Rizzo left with an ankle injury. Happ has been resurgent after being recalled by the Cubs, batting .215 with six homers, 18 RBI, and 17 runs scored.

Jonathan Lucroy went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh.

Fantasy Impact: This was Lucroy's first home run in a Cubs' uniform. On the season, Lucroy is batting .239 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 284 at-bats.

Kris Bryant went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI Sunday against the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact: Bryant hit a three-run shot in the first inning and added a solo homer in the third. He's slashing .288/.386/.538 with 31 home runs and 105 RBI in 140 games.

Jose Quintana allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out one through 2.1 innings against the Pirates on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Fantasy Impact: After two scoreless innings to start the frame, Quintana struggled mightily in the third, allowing seven baserunners before recording an out. He now owns a 4.37 ERA and 144 strikeouts through 29 starts this season. He'll take on the Cardinals next on Friday.

Nicholas Castellanos went 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored Saturday against the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact: It sounds like a broken record, but Castellanos continues to perform in a Cubs' uniform. On the season, he is batting .291 with 26 home runs, 70 RBI, and 90 runs scored.

Nico Hoerner went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, three RBI, and three runs scored Saturday against the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact: Hoerner has made quite a splash since getting called up earlier this week. In 24 at-bats, he's batting .417 with two homers, 11 RBI, and seven runs scored.

Victor Caratini went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit solo home run Saturday against the Pirates.

Fantasy Impact: Caratini joined in on the Cubs' big afternoon Saturday with a big fly in the seventh inning. In a backup catching role, Caratini is batting .277 with 10 homers, 30 RBI, and 27 runs scored.

Ben Zobrist went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk, and an additional run scored in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh.

Fantasy Impact: Zobrist knocked his first home run of 2019 in the third inning. In a year that's been derailed by personal circumstances, Zobrist is batting .266 in 109 at-bats.

Jason Heyward went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, three RBI, and two walks in Tuesday's loss to the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Heyward got the Cubs on the board with a two-run homer in the second, and blasted a clutch homer to tie the game in the eighth. Heyward is slashing .256/.345/.443 with 21 home runs and 55 RBI in 536 plate appearances this season.

Addison Russell went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Russell's homer was his ninth of the season, and came off Gio Gonzalez in the fifth inning. Russell will likely see increased playing time at shortstop while Javier Baez (thumb) nurses his injury.

David Bote went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Bote entered the game as a pinch hitter, and joined the runs parade Thursday. He's batting .266 with 11 homers, 41 RBI, and 42 runs scored this season.