Chicago Cubs Manager Gives Projected Return Date For Injured Slugger

After an offensive explosion recently, the Chicago Cubs could get back some more help as their manager shared a projected return date for one of their sluggers out with injury.

Sep 29, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom (16) / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Things are going well for the Chicago Cubs right now after they started their season off with a 1-2 record following their opening road series against the defending champion Texas Rangers.

Since that point, they've gone 6-2 and have scored a blistering 57 runs, which is good for 7.13 per game.

The Cubs might also be getting back some offensive help.

Manager Craig Counsell who teased the return of slugger Patrick Wisdom as he's continued to progress in the rehab of his back strain.

According to their injuries and moves page on MLB.com, the skipper said they are eyeing a return at some point during their road trip that would have him back with Chicago sometime between now and April 17.

Based on how Wisdom performed at Triple-A on Tuesday night, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBI, he might be back sooner rather than later.

He suffered his back injury during Spring Training and has been sidelined since March 13 before they eventually placed him on the 10-day injured list almost two weeks later.

It will be interesting to see how the Cubs use Wisdom when he returns.

The 32-year-old was expected to be in the competition for the starting third baseman role depending on how Christopher Morel performed during Spring Training and the early portion of the year. Because of injuries to Wisdom and Nick Madgrigal, Morel has appeared in all 11 games for Chicago this season, getting seven games at third and four at designated hitter.

If Morel can continue to be playable at the hot corner, Wisdom likely gets more reps at designated hitter this year than what was expected.

That will also be dependent upon his own performance as Garrett Cooper has been very good for the Cubs in his five-game sample size, putting up a slash line of .417/.500/.917 with a homer and three RBI across 12 at-bats.

Either way, getting Wisdom back doesn't hurt this roster, and they'll certainly be looking forward to having another option off the bench and to use in the DH role.