The Cubs announced Tuesday that an MRI revealed a “moderate” left oblique strain for right fielder Seiya Suzuki. The 28-year-old has already withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic, but it’s not yet clear how much time he’ll be expected to miss.
Chicago has taken a strangely vague approach to Suzuki’s injury status, declining to delve into specifics on the strain (i.e. Grade 1, Grade 2). The team originally announced Sunday that Suzuki was being hampered by tightness in his left oblique and was slated for some imaging, with the expectation that an update would be provided yesterday. Instead, manager David Ross demurred Monday and told reporters that the Cubs remained in “wait-and-see” mode. Today’s update, outside of acknowledging a strain, offers no further clarity on the severity of the injury or a potential timeline for Suzuki to return to the field. At this juncture, it’s not clear whether the team expects him to open the season on the injured list.
Suzuki, 28, is headed into the second season of a five-year, $85MM contract signed last winter. He enjoyed a strong, albeit injury-shortened debut campaign in MLB last year, appearing in 111 games and batting .262/.336/.433 with 14 home runs, 22 doubles, a pair of triples, nine steals, a 9.4% walk rate and a 24.7% strikeout rate. Suzuki missed more than a month with a finger injury and was also away from the club while on the paternity list. His production was particularly stout in the season’s first and final months, but the end-of-year output clocked in about 16% better than that of a league-average hitter, by measure of wRC+.
The Cubs’ options in right field, should Suzuki miss time, consist of utilitymen Christopher Morel and Zach McKinstry; corner infielders Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom (who has 199 big league innings of outfield work), minor leaguers Nelson Velazquez, Brennen Davis and Alexander Canario (all on the 40-man roster); and non-roster invitees Mike Tauchman and Ben DeLuzio (among others). Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger are expected to hold down left field and center field, respectively.
As Patrick Mooney of The Athletic points out, Ross had specifically mentioned Wisdom as an option in right field if Suzuki is sidelined. Wisdom himself was scratched from yesterday’s Cactus League game due to tightness in his groin, but he’s back in the lineup for today’s game.
Hope it’s not too bad, but maaaan I’m glad the Padres didn’t win the bidding on him..seems to be awfully injury prone since he came over..and oblique injuries tend to linger for months in many cases..
Well, I guess the one silver lining in this injury to Seiya, is that it’s very early in spring training and it will give the young OFers a chance to get a few more ABs.
Dude is a potential stud and they shouldn’t rush him in. Put him on the 60 day IL, Cubs are a mess anyways and aren’t going anywhere.
“Cubs are a mess anyways”.
The Dude: “Well, that’s just like your opinion man”
While playoff contention is very unlikely this year, the Cubs are at least less of a mess than they were last year and very likely to finish ahead of both the Reds and Pirates for 3rd place in the division.
While I agree with everything you said, it’s not like they beat better teams than themselves. And no way the Red or Pirates will even come close to 3rd place in the division. But I agree the Cubs will be better.
It doesn’t surprise me. He’s way too bulked up.
Spring training injury season is getting off to a big start.
First thing I thought of when he showed up all jacked was, “Is that necessarily a good thing.” But agree, young guys that would have had limited opportunities, will now get extended looks. Another name that has grown on me is Darius Hill. Reminds me of Cleveland’s Will Brennan, all he does is hit wherever he goes. The knock on Hill, is the lack of power for a corner OF.
Spotswood, I agree with your thoughts on Darius Hill. He was the first name I thought about when I heard the news on Suzuki. Hill has shown he can handle the bat very well. If he can play acceptable defensively, this could be his big break. Canario could have been another one, if not for the injury.
That was a lot of muscle to add in just one off-season. Just don’t rush him back and risk reinjury. He’s one of only 3 (Swanson, Hoerner) long term position players who’ve proven they can play at the major league level (assuming Happ is not extended).
Doesn’t really matter all that much; Cubs weren’t going to contend.
Yeah right… losing a .262 hitter = “just cancel the season”. *rolls eyes*
While I agree this doesn’t tank their season, surely you can come up with a better argument than BA.
Serioulsy? You’re complaining about a guy that hit .262 in his first full season? A guy who everyone expected would improve on his first season after posting .262 average, 14 HR’s, 46 RBI, 54 Run and 9 SB season.
Well, boys and girls, good lesson to learn. Don’t perform too many sit-ups or you’ll be out for at least a few months.
Wasn’t he hurt a few times last year?
He injured his hand sliding into a base. That was it that I’m aware of.
Yup. Seems to be quite injury prone. Good news is the Cubs have tons of depth with other vet OF’s as well as prospects. They’ll be fine, regardless of what all the WSox, Brewers & Cardinals haters in here say.
They are pretty deep in the outfield. Hopefully it’s short term injury, he was starting to put it together at the end of last year.
Guess it’s Seiya later for the Cubs.
Translated to his native Japanese: “Seiya-nara!”
A grade 2 strain is generally considered moderate, and that means it will be 2-3 months before he resumes baseball activities and then a stint in the minors on rehab. Maybe he is back with the Cubs by the All Star break or a little sooner?
Cubs diagnosed with “mild obscurity.”
I would say Morel has the inside track with Davis close on heals. A strong spring or weak spring by either player would probably have the Cubs shift their attention to Wisdom and Rios taking over third.
This could also provide Madrigal an opportunity if he can defensively handle third base but I don’t think he has the arm for it.