Javier Baez (thumb) cleared, added to Cubs' lineup Friday

Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez (thumb) has been added to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against left-hander Wade LeBlanc and the St. Louis Cardinals.

What It Means:

Baez missed the last two games with a thumb sprain and he wasn't initially in the starting lineup for Friday's contest. He is now returning to shortstop in place of Sergio Alcantara and hitting cleanup.

Baez is averaging 11.3 FanDuel points as a starter this season. Per our MLB Heat Map, LeBlanc is registering the third-worst strikeout rate (14.6 percent) among Friday's listed starters.