The Chicago Cubs will be starting the regular season without one of their key utility players, as shortstop Javier Baez will begin the year on the 15-day disabled list.

Baez has been dealing with a left thumb contusion that has kept him out of action in Cactus League play, and the team has opted to take a cautious approach with the season nearing.

“That’s the kind of stuff that if you permit it to linger, it can,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I had him in the office and he was disappointed. He thought he could be ready. We’re not comfortable that it’s at 100 percent, so we want to get it 100 percent well and get him back.”

With Baez going on the disabled list, it will fall on other players to show their versatility. Maddon announced during Tuesday’s press conference that infielder Tommy La Stella will be on the team’s 25-man roster, giving them another infield option. Outfielder Matt Szczur will also break camp with the Cubs, as will pitcher Neil Ramirez.

With the Cubs on the west coast for their first two games of the season against the Los Angeles Angels, the team won’t have to worry about having pinch hitters with the designated hitter in play, but Maddon is confident that the team will be fine even when they begin their National League slate of games.

“We’re still versatile even without Javy there,” he said. “If there’s something more long-term, we can do something to fill that spot. We don’t expect him to be out much longer than us getting back to Chicago.”