Ortiz back in Brewers' lineup a day after exiting with knee injury

CHICAGO -- Joey Ortiz, who has provided the Brewers terrific defense at shortstop all season and lately some offense, too, left Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Cubs at Wrigley Field after fouling a pitch off his right knee in the seventh inning.

X-rays were negative, revealing a bone bruise for Ortiz, who returned to the starting lineup (batting ninth) for Wednesday night's game against the Cubs despite also dealing with “some gastrointestinal stuff,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday.

Ortiz ultimately singled in the at-bat of his injury but was hobbled when he reached first base and drew a visit from an athletic trainer and Murphy. He remained in the game, but was replaced at shortstop by Andruw Monasterio in the bottom of the seventh.

“It’s pretty painful,” Murphy said.

The Brewers spent Spring Training deciding between Ortiz and Brice Turang as the replacement for departed shortstop Willy Adames and ultimately went with Ortiz, who ranks fifth among Major League shortstops in Statcast’s fielding run value metric. After a slow start at the plate he’s come around offensively, hitting .291 with five homers over his last 53 games.

The Brewers dropped both of Tuesday's games against the Cubs, 6-4 in the opener and 4-1 in the nightcap.