Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is progressing toward a minor league rehab assignment following a right knee injury. The player completed defensive drills, baserunning and sliding during Tuesday's workout at Wrigley Field. Manager Craig Counsell indicated Suzuki is ready for game action soon.
CHICAGO -- Seiya Suzuki demonstrated strong form in batting practice on Monday at Wrigley Field, hitting several home runs into the bleachers ahead of the Cubs' pregame workout. The outfielder, sidelined on the 10-day injured list with a mild sprain of his right knee's posterior cruciate ligament, advanced further on Tuesday with defensive drills, baserunning that included starting and stopping, and sliding on an outfield mat. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, “We really tried to put him through one last test, really. We’re in a really good space.” The injury occurred on March 14 during Team Japan’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal loss to Venezuela on a stolen-base attempt. Suzuki resumed baseball activities after rejoining the Cubs in Arizona but required an IL stint to start the season. Last year, he set career highs with 32 home runs, 71 walks and 103 RBIs, alongside 31 doubles, a .478 slugging percentage and a 130 OPS+. In the postseason, he added three homers and a .613 slugging percentage over eight National League Division Series games. Suzuki will begin a minor league rehab assignment during the Cubs' road trip to Cleveland this Friday through Sunday and then Tampa Bay from April 6-8. The team has yet to decide between Double-A Knoxville or Triple-A Iowa due to weather, with the assignment's length still undetermined. Counsell noted activation could occur during the trip, but emphasized full readiness for right field. “A little bit will be on how he feels, for sure,” he said. “We want him to play right field, so we’ll activate him when he’s ready to play right field.” The Cubs seek to avoid limiting him to designated hitter.
