The Chicago Cubs are planning to bring outfielder Seiya Suzuki back from the injured list this Friday as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series at home.
Suzuki hasn’t appeared in any games for Chicago this season after suffering a sprained knee ligament while representing Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic earlier this year.
During his rehabilitation stint with Double-A Knoxville, Suzuki has recorded three hits in eight at-bats, along with one walk and one RBI across three games.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell addressed reporters about Suzuki’s return, saying: “We’re probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here. He didn’t get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It’s just making sure he’s ready to go offensively.”
While playing for Knoxville, Suzuki has logged 10 defensive innings across two games in right field, and the Cubs organization plans to give him additional defensive work this week before his activation.
The 31-year-old outfielder enjoyed his best campaign with Chicago last season, launching 32 home runs while driving in 103 runs. Throughout his four-year tenure with the Cubs, Suzuki has maintained a .269 batting average with an .818 OPS, accumulating 87 home runs and 296 RBIs across 532 games.
