MESA, Ariz. — Cubs manager Craig Counsell made it official Monday and said that right fielder Seiya Suzuki will begin the season on the injured list.
It might not be a long stint – the move could be backdated to Sunday, allowing Suzuki to join the Cubs as early as April 1 when they close out their first home stand against the Angels. But next weekend’s series at Cleveland might be the earliest he returns, Counsell suggested.
“We’ve got to have a good week,” Counsell said. “Then we can more accurately tell you when he’s going to be back.”
Suzuki, who has a sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament, is wearing a brace on his right knee that is “uncomfortable,” he said, but it allows him to work. He planned to run, although not at full speed, and hit indoors Monday.
“We have to just keep taking steps right now,” Counsell said.
Whether Suzuki stays in Arizona or goes with the team to Chicago to rehab—where the Cubs open the season Thursday against the Nationals—has not been decided.
“I was worried at the beginning but day-to-day the pain has gone down and it’s been feeling better each day,” Suzuki said Monday through a translator. “Obviously you don’t want to rush it.”
Decisions, decisions
Super-utility man Matt Shaw played right field Monday in the second-to-last Cactus League game, and Michael Conforto was informed Saturday that he’s on the team.
Counsell said decisions on the last two bench spots had not been made. Dylan Carlson and Kevin Alcantara are in play for an outfield bench spot, and Counsell said he would prefer having another infielder on the roster in addition to Shaw, who could be needed in the outfield. Scott Kingery is a possibility.
Assad optioned, Brown makes roster
Right-hander Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A, where he will be a starter, giving right-hander Ben Brown the last remaining spot on the pitching staff. Brown, who made 15 starts and 10 relief appearances last season, was stretched out this spring but will pitch out of the bullpen, an eight-man unit that will also include right-handers Daniel Palencia, Colin Rea, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb and left-handers Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner.
Brown and Rea will provide multi-inning options.
“Two guys with length abilities can really help manage the innings workload,” Counsell said.
“Knowing the nature of where the starters and relievers are at the start of the season, with the schedule, you want to be careful.”
Ready, set, Sho
Left-hander Shota Imanaga allowed some hard contact, including a 117-mph single by Giancarlo Stanton, to the Yankees’ top lineup but he kept the Bronx bombers in the yard after allowing five homers this spring and navigated through five innings of two-run ball with seven hits and two walks allowed. Imanaga struck out five and had 17 swings and misses.
He posted a 4.50 ERA over 18 innings with 18 strikeouts and three walks this spring.
“It was a good spring training,” said Imanaga, who said facing the Yankees before a full house had a regular season feel, providing a good springboard into his first start Sunday against the Nationals.
