Valbuena avoided arbitration with the Cubs with a one-year, $4.2 million deal, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Valbuena enjoyed a strong 2014, manning third base and registering an above-average .776 OPS. Going forward, the question if if the 29-year-old is supplanted by the tidal wave of youthful talent the Cubs have coming in.

Valbuena went 1-for-3 Monday as the Cubs were shutout by the Cardinals. The infielder is now in the midst of a six-game hitting streak as his strong 2014 continues on. Valbuena has already set career highs with 16 home runs and 51 RBI with a week still to play this season.

Valbuena is out of the lineup Friday against the Dodgers Valbuena is batting just .231 against left-handed pitching this season, and with the Cubs facing one of the best southpaws in the game in Clayton Kershaw, it made sense to give him a day off. Righty Mike Olt will man the hot corner in Valbuena's stead.

Valbuena went 2-for-4 in the Cubs' loss to Toronto on Wednesday. With Anthony Rizzo (back) on the shelf, Valbuena has been positioned in the heart of the order for the Cubs in recent weeks. He's now hitting .247/.328/.445 on the year, but it's likely that he's auditioning for a role elsewhere in 2015 as the Cubs have a slew of younger options pounding on the door for big league roster spots.

Valbuena is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates. Valbuena will get the night off with the Cubs facing Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano. Chris Valaika will get the start at third base in Valbuena's place.

Valbuena went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored Wednesday in a loss to the Giants. Valbuena has collected six hits over the last three games, doubling his total for the month. The third baseman is slashing .242/.324/.423 on the year.

Valbuena (illness) is in the starting lineup Sunday against the Mets, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports. Valbuena was limited to pinch-hit duty in the first two games of the series due to illness, but will return to the hot corner Sunday afternoon. Having collected just one base knock since August 7, Valbuena will look to break out of his slump from the five-spot in the lineup.

Valbuena (illness) will be held out of the lineup again Saturday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. Chris Valaika will presumably draw another start at third base Saturday with Valbuena batting a cold. Valbuena will look to return Sunday and break out of his miserable 1-for-29 slump.

Valbuena is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets. Valbuena is currently mired in a miserable slump, with just one hit in his last nine games (1-for-29), so manager Rick Renteria will turn third base back over to Chris Valaika on Friday. The 28-year-old Valbuena has seen his average fall by close to 20 points since Aug. 5 (from .252 to .233), and may be in danger of seeing his role reduced.

Valbuena is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays. Valbuena struck out swinging in each of his four plate appearances Saturday, and manager Rick Renteria has decided he could use a day to get his head together. Chris Valaika will man third base and bat eighth against right-hander Alex Cobb.