Suzuki Takes BP With Cubs But May Not Be Close To Return

After an oblique injury right fielder Seiya Suzuki takes batting practice.

Seiya Suzuki took batting practice Saturday with the Chicago Cubs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s closer to returning.

It was, however, a step forward for Suzuki, who’s expected to begin the season on the injured list with a strained left oblique.

It remains unclear when the standout right fielder will be able to play for the Cubs.

The Cubs feature plenty of depth so they’ll have options when Suzuki does come back.

For now, manager David Ross is going to wait and see.

“I don't know that I want to list off all the factors that go into the decision-making, right?" Ross told reporters. "There are a lot of them. Whether you are trying to put somebody on the roster that's not on it, or trying to fill a gap for 10 days, is a big deal. And it's a big decision. We have so much talent and a lot of depth here. We would like to keep as much as we possibly can, because of the long journey we're about to start.

“So his progression is important to some of those decisions, for sure."

Ross noted he hopes Suzuki will play in a Minor League game “hopefully really soon,” but only in a defensive role at first.

Ross could call on Trey Mancini, Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel, Mike Tauchman or others to fill the gap in right field in the short term.

The 28-year-old Suzuki is entering the second season under a five-year, $85 million contract. In 111 games in 2022, he slashed .262/.336/.433 with 14 home runs and 22 doubles.

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