Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki exited tonight’s recreation in opposition to the Dodgers this night as a consequence of proper wrist ache, per a staff announcement. Suzuki was serving because the membership’s DH in tonight’s recreation however was pinch hit for by Miguel Amaya within the fifth inning. As famous by Marquee Sports activities Community’s Taylor McGregor throughout the membership’s broadcast of the sport, Suzuki first handled soreness in his wrist throughout the membership’s sequence in opposition to the Athletics in Sacramento final week whereas enjoying the outfield. Suzuki has performed solely DH within the eight video games since that sequence.
It’s unclear at this level whether or not Suzuki’s damage is a day-to-day state of affairs or would require a visit to the injured listing, however both final result would go away Chicago with out one in all its greatest hitters. The Cubs offense has gotten off to a sizzling begin this 12 months, serving to to guide the membership to a stable 10-7 document to open the season with an MLB-best 113 runs scored. That’s almost seven runs per recreation, and an enormous a part of that manufacturing has been the duo of offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker (206 wRC+ coming into play this night) and Suzuki (170 wRC+).
Whereas that otherworldly begin to the season from Suzuki is definitely spectacular, he was already the membership’s greatest hitter for the previous three years previous to the Tucker commerce this winter. Since coming over from Japan previous to the 2022 season, Suzuki is hitting .279/.356/.473 with a 131 wRC+ that’s tied with Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson for twenty second amongst certified MLB hitters over that point. He was much more spectacular final 12 months, when he slashed .283/.366/.482 with a wRC+ of 138 in 132 video games for the Cubs. Spectacular as Suzuki’s numbers have been, staying wholesome has been a problem for him through the years. After enjoying 111 video games in his rookie season as a consequence of finger sprain that sidelined him for over a month, Suzuki has missed time as a consequence of indirect strains in every of the previous two seasons as properly.
It stays to be seen if this newest ailment would require a visit to the injured listing, however within the occasion that it does the Cubs are fortuitously to be pretty well-suited to deal with an absence from even one in all their prime hitters. Justin Turner signed with Chicago over the offseason to function a veteran presence off the bench and spell Michael Busch at first base and, whereas he’s hitting simply .250/.346/.250 thus far within the season, that manufacturing has are available in a pattern dimension of simply 26 plate appearances throughout which Turner has posted similar 11.5% strikeout and stroll charges. Given his monitor document of above-average offense that spans greater than a decade, Turner ought to have the ability to step into the lineup and function an efficient fill-in possibility even when he can’t be anticipated to exchange the elite manufacturing Suzuki has provided thus far within the 12 months.
If the Cubs resolve to bolster the lineup with one in all their prospects at Triple-A as a substitute of leaning on Turner, the choices are considerably much less inspiring. Kevin Alcantara and James Triantos have each but to get going even with the membership’s Iowa affiliate, and calling both participant as much as assist the membership within the majors once they’re already struggling in opposition to minor league pitching could possibly be a tall order. Owen Caissie is hitting a extra sturdy .267/.365/.538 in seven video games for Iowa this 12 months after posting a 121 wRC+ on the degree final season, however his penchant for strikeouts through the years makes his 40% strikeout fee to open the season all of the extra worrisome.
