Cubs News: Ben Zobrist Returns After Four-Month Absence With Family

You don’t often see a professional athlete take all the time — and we mean all the time — he or she needs to spend with family, but that’s what Ben Zobrist did this season. And the Chicago Cubs gave the time to him, then welcomed him back with open arms Sunday.

Zobrist took an abrupt leave of absence to be with family, reportedly after he and his wife had started divorce proceedings in early May. As he returned, the divorce is reportedly on hold.

He didn’t play Sunday in his first game back, though he was in the on-deck circle as a pinch hitter when the game ended.

REPORT: Ben Zobrist Is Coming Back on Sunday! https://t.co/QPy5diMjHn pic.twitter.com/wLWL44tDxc

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 30, 2019

An ‘easy decision’

Zobrist struggled through the first month of the season, and reports of his impending divorce clearly could have had an effect.

With his OPS under .600, he decided to take a break. The Cubs allowed it.

“It was an easy decision for me,” Zobrist said, according to ESPN.com. “Very easy. Because I’m a 100 percent focus type of person. And I knew that at that moment, I couldn’t be here and be focused while I was here. I didn’t want to give a half effort while I was here. I knew for a period of time I needed to fully put myself back in Nashville, at home with my family, doing everything I could to keep my family together.

Ben Zobrist doing what he does best. Being a good guy. Received a big ovation from fans as he walked into the dugout. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/eB82zl6dGQ

— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) September 1, 2019

Can he help?

The Cubs have the lowest on-base percentage from the leadoff spot in all of Major League Baseball. With how many sluggers they have in their lineup, that’s a big problem.

Zobrist, 38, has a robust career on-base percentage of .356, so he certainly could help.

“The answer to that is I hope I can fill that role and do it well,” Zobrist said. “I know I have in the past, so I have confidence that I can do it. At the same time, you have to catch your rhythm [at the plate].”