Joe Maddon Says Cubs Are Preparing for Possibility Ben Zobrist Might Not Return This Season

Ben Zobrist, who was a key member of the Cubs championship run, has not been with the team since May 8th for personal reasons.

Joe Maddon is preparing for the worst-case scenario, which would mean the super-utility man's absence could continue for the remainder of the season.

After taking a personal leave from the Cubs due to divorce proceedings with his wife, Zobrist has not indicated that his return is imminent, and with the extended practice reps that he would have to undergo once he comes back, Maddon believes there is a real possibility that Zobrist's season is done.

"I have to think that way, absolutely," Maddon told reporters ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Astros. "I hope that’s not the case. But he’s at the point now where if he chose to come back, it’s going to take him a while to get back up to speed, too. We have to mentally be prepared that we will not have him." 

Zobrist is 38, and a missed season would be a disappointment for him this late in his career. The Cubs have not seemed to miss him all that much, as they currently sit pretty atop the NL Central with a 30-23 record.

In the grand scheme of things, this situation shows that despite the emphasis put on baseball, it will always be just a game, and that life still may get in the way of things, even for professional athletes.