Cubs' Sergio Alcantara scratched Friday for Javier Baez (thumb)

Chicago Cubs infielder Sergio Alcantara has been scratched from Friday's lineup against left-hander Wade LeBlanc and the St. Louis Cardinals.

What It Means:

Alcantara was scratched once Javier Baez (thumb) was cleared to return. He started the previous three games and should be available off the bench for Friday's matinee. Baez is starting at shortstop 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.