Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki exited tonight’s game against the Dodgers this evening due to right wrist pain, per a team announcement. Suzuki was serving as the club’s DH in tonight’s game but was pinch hit for by Miguel Amaya in the fifth inning. As noted by Marquee Sports Network’s Taylor McGregor during the club’s broadcast of the game, Suzuki first dealt with soreness in his wrist during the club’s series against the Athletics in Sacramento last week while playing the outfield. Suzuki has played exclusively DH in the eight games since that series.
It’s unclear at this point whether Suzuki’s injury is a day-to-day situation or will require a trip to the injured list, but either outcome would leave Chicago without one of its best hitters. The Cubs offense has gotten off to a hot start this year, helping to lead the club to a solid 10-7 record to open the season with an MLB-best 113 runs scored. That’s nearly seven runs per game, and a huge part of that production has been the duo of offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker (206 wRC+ entering play this evening) and Suzuki (170 wRC+).
While that otherworldly start to the season from Suzuki is certainly impressive, he was already the club’s best hitter for the past three years prior to the Tucker trade this winter. Since coming over from Japan prior to the 2022 season, Suzuki is hitting .279/.356/.473 with a 131 wRC+ that’s tied with Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson for 22nd among qualified MLB hitters over that time. He was even more impressive last year, when he slashed .283/.366/.482 with a wRC+ of 138 in 132 games for the Cubs. Impressive as Suzuki’s numbers have been, staying healthy has been a challenge for him over the years. After playing 111 games in his rookie season due to finger sprain that sidelined him for over a month, Suzuki has missed time due to oblique strains in each of the past two seasons as well.
It remains to be seen if this latest ailment will require a trip to the injured list, but in the event that it does the Cubs are fortunately fairly well-suited to handle an absence from even one of their top hitters. Justin Turner signed with Chicago over the offseason to serve as a veteran presence off the bench and spell Michael Busch at first base and, while he’s hitting just .250/.346/.250 to this point in the season, that production has come in a sample size of just 26 plate appearances during which Turner has posted identical 11.5% strikeout and walk rates. Given his track record of above-average offense that spans more than a decade, Turner should be able to step into the lineup and serve as an effective fill-in option even if he can’t be expected to replace the elite production Suzuki has offered to this point in the year.
If the Cubs decide to bolster the lineup with one of their prospects at Triple-A instead of leaning on Turner, the options are somewhat less inspiring. Kevin Alcantara and James Triantos have both yet to get going even with the club’s Iowa affiliate, and calling either player up to help the club in the majors when they’re already struggling against minor league pitching could be a tall order. Owen Caissie is hitting a more robust .267/.365/.538 in seven games for Iowa this year after posting a 121 wRC+ at the level last season, but his penchant for strikeouts over the years makes his 40% strikeout rate to open the season all the more worrisome.
Really hasn’t worked out with this guy so farlol
I would take him over Cody Bellinger in a heartbeat even if Suzuki misses 30 games a season. He’s certainly not being overpaid for his production.
He’s the Cubs 2nd best hitter. He makes Tucker even better. Until this season I didn’t think that was possible since Tucker is already an elite superstar player.
You really don’t know baseball do you? Lol
BadMojo, I guess this is your bit, huh?
What a silly comment.
He should switch to the left wrist. Like Lisa left wrist Lopes
RIP
Aside from Ichiro most of the guys are like paper dolls coming over.
Lower bone density.
cplwhiteguy. Got it.
The Cubs aren’t just sweating Suzuki’s wrist—they’re revealing a roster hole where contact-driven depth should be. No one’s discussing this because the focus is on his 170 wRC+ and Turner’s veteran glow, but the real issue is a farm system churning out strikeout-prone prospects who can’t step into Suzuki’s shoes. In a division where Brewers and Cardinals thrive on adaptable, high-contact lineups, Chicago’s lack of a Triple-A safety net could turn a hot 10-7 start into a wild-card scramble if Suzuki’s bat fades—a flaw glaring in prospect stats but buried under offensive fireworks.
It’s the reds division if they want it
@York Imagine if everyone chose to taint comment section with replies derived in AI algorithm. It would no longer be an actual comment section but more akin to a Google search. Your doing so is tacky and flat out selfish when considering the ramifications if everyone were to do so. Not to mention resorting to AI to try and present a false facade of intelligence to a bunch of strangers is rather pathetic.
Not sure if you are aware, but many employers and professions have training on spotting AI’s use and the ethical issues as well as harm it can potentially cause. The fact you try and deny is hilarious, it is that obvious and has been called out by well over a dozen people just in the past week alone.
I think old York just likes the attention. He needs the admiration of the MLBTR comment section to feel while
Brewers? High contact? Your posts are always blatantly wrong but especially about the Brewers. I don’t think we’re watching the same team if you describe them as high contact
Dude, enough with this.
Old York’s prose is as purple as Grimace.
Brad – I like the Grimace reference because I’m over 50. For the under 50 crowd – Barney.
Barney’s prose would be syrupy.
I dunno. I’d like to see what Ballesteros can do. And wrists are tricky (and Suzuki is not a quick healer)–it might be more than 10 days.
Yes. The idea that the Cubs have impressive hitters coming up through their system is often repeated, but it simply isn’t true. Ballesteros might –we hope–prove to be the exception. I hope they will bring him up soon and see what he can do.
Well Caissie has been injured since ST and Iowa had a DH today and Caissie didn’t play in either game I believe so he’s out. The obvious choices are either Alcantara or Brujan as they’re on the 40 man already. I’d pick Alcantara and release Brujan but that’s just me. Cowles is on the 40 man but stinks. I’d bring up Alcantara and use him and Workman as the DH as a platoon. Again just me if Suzuki needs to go on the IL. Ballesteros would be the best DH choice but starting him up so soon for just 10 days doesn’t make much sense.
Bringing up Alcantara and starting him against lefties only would not be smart. He needs to play every day.
No reason to burn an option on Moises yet. Maybe he can be the 14th guy in September. Besides, the Cubs think he’s going to catch like Schwarbs did.
Alcantara would be fine if the IL stint for Suzuki is short.
“ Suzuki has played exclusively DH in the eight games since that series.”
And like all season except 12 innings and pretty much the entire second half of last season, but sure, MLBTR, try to make a non-factor a statement because you once again fail do to proper research.
This is one strange agenda. Thanks for the self righteous entertainment.
They don’t need to do much. Platooning catcher and DH while Suzuki takes a few days off or giving Workman more at bats is a good option. Turner is the floor in this situation.
If it turns into a month thing I would be fine with Ballestros up to DH. Give him a taste of the show.
April angst is the best Cub angst. September is also very good. But the in between is also very,very good. The 10 yr rebuild plan is heading towards that 108 yr plan.
“Impressive as Suzuki’s numbers have been” is NOT PROPER ENGLISH. You can’t just leave “as” out to begin the sentence. It’s not optional! Grammar is not optional when you’re being paid to write.