The Chicago Cubs announced Monday that outfielder Seiya Suzuki will miss the World Baseball Classic with a left oblique injury. There is currently no timetable for Suzuki’s return, but an update on the injury is expected sometime Tuesday. The 28-year-old is entering his second season with the Cubs after starting his career in Japan. With Suzuki out of the WBC, Team Japan will be shorthanded as they seek their third title.
Seiya Suzuki has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic due to an oblique injury, per multiple sources. pic.twitter.com/HRcOCMgQ4y
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 28, 2023
Suzuki Ruled Out for WBC
The Cubs held Suzuki out of Saturday’s spring opener against the San Francisco Giants with tightness on his left side. Testing on Sunday revealed an oblique injury, and it’s unknown for now how much time he will miss. Suzuki joined the Cubs last season, signing a five-year, $85 million deal with the North Siders after a successful NPB career with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. In his rookie season in the majors, he showed some promise for a rebuilding Cubs team. In 111 games, Suzuki batted .262 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, and a .770 OPS. With 104 hits, he averaged close to a knock per game. Thanks to a strong start in 2022, he won the NL Rookie of the Month Award for April.
With Suzuki ruled out for the WBC, Chicago may have to think about contingency plans for the outfield in case he’s not ready for Opening Day. With Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ being the most experienced Cubs outfielders, the team will likely have to go younger to replace Suzuki if necessary. Potential options include Christopher Morel and Nelson Velazquez, who both debuted last season. Trey Mancini is expected to DH but also has outfield experience.
If Suzuki’s injury causes him to miss any regular season action, it will be an early blow to a Cubs team looking to improve on last season. Following a 74-88 campaign in 2022, Chicago heavily retooled over the offseason by signing several veterans. These additions included Bellinger, Mancini, Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, and Eric Hosmer. Suzuki started to find his legs in the majors last year, and the Cubs are hoping that if he can take the next step, it will help the team do the same. This injury only being short-term would go a long way toward those goals.
Main photo credits:
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA Today Sports
Players mentioned:
Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Christopher Morel, Nelson Velazquez, Trey Mancini, Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, Eric Hosmer
