Cubs' Contreras, Zobrist return for Tuesday's game vs. Mariners

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras will be activated from the 10-day injured list and make his return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners, manager Joe Maddon told Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Contreras has been out of action since Aug. 3 due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old is batting .275/.365/.525 with 19 home runs in 87 games.

Also returning - and batting leadoff - is infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist. Zobrist hasn't played since May 6 due to a personal leave of absence. He was activated from the restricted list on Aug. 31 but has yet to appear in a game.

Additionally, shortstop Javier Baez will sit out for the second consecutive day after injuring his thumb on Sunday.

The returns of Contreras and Zobrist come at a key time in the Cubs' schedule. The team currently sits three games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central while occupying the second wild-card spot.