Iowa Cubs Manager: Javier Baez 'Probably' Back In 3 Weeks

(CBS) Out since fracturing his left ring finger on June 7, Cubs infielder prospect Javier Baez will "probably" return in two-a-half or three weeks, Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey told the Des Moines Register on Saturday.

Rehabbing in at the Cubs' facilities in Arizona, Baez recently returned to baseball activities and has been swinging the bat again, but his timeline was still uncertain. Pevey hasn't been given an exact timetable but is optimistic Baez will be back at Triple-A in a few weeks.

"Just a guess, I would say probably ... I'm going to say two and a half, three weeks," Pevey said, according to the Register.

Baez's recovery is a noteworthy storyline to follow as the big league Cubs make their playoff push. Prior to injury, Baez was playing his best baseball of the season and on the verge of being called up to the majors again, according to several reports. Baez was hitting .314 with eight homers, 29 RBIs and a .922 OPS in 37 games at Triple-A this season.

Notably, Baez cut down on his strikeouts, which were a big concern for him. In 229 plate appearances in 40 games in the big leagues in 2014, he struck out 95 times, a strikeout rate of 41.4 percent. At Triple-A this season, he's struck out 40 times in 158 plate appearances, a rate of 25.3 percent.

In spring training, Cubs manager Joe Maddon often lauded Baez for his defensive and baserunning skills.