Jason Heyward scratched from Cubs lineup after ‘sharp pain’ in left knee, expects to avoid IL

Heyward makes a diving catch Aug. 1 in St. Louis. | Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images

Heyward, who is having his best season as a Cub, is expected to remain sidelined through Thursday, when the Cubs face left-hander Drew Smyly.

PHILADELPHIA – Just when it looked like the Cubs’ bullpen might be days away from returning to full strength, the lineup took another hit Wednesday when outfielder Jason Heyward was scratched from the lineup because of a left knee injury.

The Cubs are calling it inflammation, and Heyward insists it won’t put him on the 10-day injured list.

But he also said the issue began when his knee “kind of locked up” as he went to get out of bed in the middle of the night, causing a “sharp pain” as he tried to bend it – which at least sounds potentially like more than a one- or two-day issue.

“Not as of right now,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Right after he hit [in the batting cage] he reported that it was still there but not awful. We’ll play it day by day, but what I’m hearing is it’s nothing that we should be concerned about right now.”

It loosened as he got active during the day and took swings in the batting cage, Heyward said. “It’s a lot better than I thought it would be.”

Maddon said Heyward might sit out Thursday as well with a left-hander scheduled to pitch against the Cubs.

The lefty-hitting Heyward, who is having his best season as a Cub, has been the Cubs’ leadoff man the last two weeks. Tony Kemp took his place at the top of the order Wednesday against Phillies ace Aaron Nola.

“Rest will help it,” Heyward said. “It’s not going to be an IL thing. Sometimes you need to stop to not make something worse.”

Hearts with Jake

Phillies starter Jake Arrieta, the former Cubs’ Cy Young Award winner and World Series hero, was finally shut down Wednesday after pitching through the increasing pain of a bone spur that has bothered him much of the season.

Arrieta is scheduled for an MRI Thursday and said he anticipates season-ending surgery.

“I could only imagine having to deal with something like that,” said Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks. “You know he’s been dealing with that for quite a while now. That’s the kind of guy that he is; he’s going to pitch if he can pitch, no matter what. That’s why he’s an unbelievable teammate. That’s why we love him.

“But at the end of the day, he’s got to look out for himself at this point. You could see he just wasn’t right.”

Big day for pen

Bullpen workhorse Steve Cishek rejoined the team in Philadelphia after returning to Chicago for a cortisone shot Saturday in his inflamed left hip.

After feeling “free and easy” throwing on Wednesday, he’s scheduled for his first post-injury bullpen session Thursday – after which a timetable for his return could be targeted. That might mean his first eligible day to return, Tuesday at home against the Giants.

“If we continue at this rate yeah, I don’ t see why not,” he said.

Closer Craig Kimbrel also throws a bullpen session Thursday, his second since a sore knee sidelined him last week. Kimbrel said this week his knee has responded well so far, and if Thursday goes well, he and the club are expected to decide whether to have him make a minor-league rehab appearance or target a return date in the next few days.

Contreras update

Catcher Willson Contreras, who has been on the IL since injuring his hamstring Aug. 3, returned to Chicago Wednesday to increase his rehab and strength work.

He’s not expected back from the IL until next month.