Cubs Get Major Update on Seiya Suzuki’s Opening Day Status

The Chicago Cubs, like all other 29 MLB teams, are preparing for Opening Day, which is just under three days away. However, for the Cubs, they will begin the season with a key player sidelined.

Manager Craig Counsell announced on Monday that Seiya Suzuki will begin the season on the Injured List due to a minor PCL strain. The Cubs had likely anticipated this outcome when the official injury diagnosis was revealed. The World Baseball Classic claims another victim on the injury front.

More MLB on Heavy: Mets Trade Prediction Lands Astros’ $60 Million Slugger for Mark Vientos

Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki Lands on IL with Knee Injury

GettySeiya Suzuki #27 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after an RBI single in the first inning off Jake Irvin of the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on September 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

During Team Japan’s loss to Venezuela in the WBC, Seiya Suzuki had to be removed from the game after attempting to steal second base in the first inning, and he came off the field limping with a knee injury. 

Now, Chicago will be without Suzuki, a big contributor to its lineup, for the start of the 2026 season. It’s also somewhat of a tough blow for Suzuki, who is in a contract year. If his production is slowed due to this lingering injury, his free agency out might look a lot different. 

Counsell had previously ruled Suzuki out for Opening Day and has now confirmed that the outfielder will require an IL stint as he recovers from a mild PCL strain in his right knee.

Suzuki is going into the final season of a five-year, $85 million, five-year contract. He has hit .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBI in 532 games for the Cubs.

Suzuki’s injury is likely the reason Michael Conforto will be on the Opening Day roster, but that’s a big downgrade in the Cubs’ lineup. 

More MLB on Heavy: Braves Trade Pitch Lands $340 Million, 3X All-Star Outfielder from NL Contender in Massive Move

Other Cubs News Ahead of Opening Day

In other Cubs news, Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A. Assad missed most of last season with an oblique injury and posted a 3.65 ERA over 37 total innings last season. 

Aside from the Suzuki injury, there aren’t any other major concerns with the Cubs roster and injury status.

The pitching staff became pretty much complete with Craig Counsell telling Ben Brown that he would be a part of the team’s bullpen. Matt Shaw will also be on the Opening Day roster as a utilityman for Chicago.

Circling back to the Seiya Suzuki news, this will be a big early storyline for the Cubs this season, both in how long he’s out for and how he produces once he returns.

More MLB on Heavy: Yankees Trade Idea Lands Mariners’ All-Star Starter for Jasson Dominguez + Will Warren

 

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Cubs Get Major Update on Seiya Suzuki’s Opening Day Status appeared first on Heavy Sports.