Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki exited tonight’s recreation towards the Dodgers this night resulting from 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 through the membership’s broadcast of the sport, Suzuki first handled soreness in his wrist through the membership’s collection towards the Athletics in Sacramento final week whereas enjoying the outfield. Suzuki has performed solely DH within the eight video games since that collection.
It’s unclear at this level whether or not Suzuki’s harm is a day-to-day state of affairs or would require a visit to the injured checklist, however both consequence would depart Chicago with out one in all its finest hitters. The Cubs offense has gotten off to a scorching begin this yr, serving to to steer the membership to a strong 10-7 report to open the season with an MLB-best 113 runs scored. That’s practically 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 actually spectacular, he was already the membership’s finest 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 yr, 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 over time. After enjoying 111 video games in his rookie season resulting from finger sprain that sidelined him for over a month, Suzuki has missed time resulting from 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 checklist, however within the occasion that it does the Cubs are happily to be pretty well-suited to deal with an absence from even one in all their high 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 so far within the season, that manufacturing has are available a pattern dimension of simply 26 plate appearances throughout which Turner has posted equivalent 11.5% strikeout and stroll charges. Given his observe report 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 choice even when he can’t be anticipated to interchange the elite manufacturing Suzuki has supplied so far within the yr.
If the Cubs resolve to bolster the lineup with one in all their prospects at Triple-A as an alternative 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 towards 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 yr after posting a 121 wRC+ on the stage final season, however his penchant for strikeouts over time makes his 40% strikeout charge to open the season all of the extra worrisome.
