Nico Hoerner exited Monday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 5^th inning with left hamstring tightness, per the Cubs.

Hoerner was rounding second base on a double from Dansby Swanson, when he pulled up and gingerly jogged to third base. Manager David Ross and head athletic trainer Nick Frangella came out to check on him and he exited the game, to be replaced by Nick Madrigal. 

Here is Nico Hoerner rounding second base in the bottom of the 5th.

He exited the game after this and was replaced by Nick Madrigal. pic.twitter.com/he1LrjaJe4

— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) May 9, 2023

“Just a little hamstring tightness,” Manager David Ross said. “We’ll get him evaluated, see how he presents in the morning but just felt a little just grab a little bit when he was rounding second base headed to third. Trying to be cautious and see how he is in the morning.”

Ross said that Hoerner will have imaging done Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury. 

In 2021, Hoerner struggled with health, landing on the IL four separate times that limited him to just 44 games. He and the Cubs worked on an offseason plan going into the 2022 season to combat that and it worked — he missed an extended period just once, when he landed on the IL with a right ankle sprain in May. It turned into a career year for Hoerner, who hit .281/.327/.410 with 10 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 55 RBI over 135 games.

Hoerner signed a 3-year contract extension on the eve of the 2023 season.

The Cubs recalled Christopher Morel on Monday afternoon. Morel’s addition could provide some cover if Hoerner’s injury is extended — Morel or Madrigal can play second, and depending on matchup, can also play third if Patrick Wisdom needs a day off.