Seiya Suzuki ruled out for Cubs opener, while veteran OF Michael Conforto makes the team
· Yahoo Sports
MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki has been ruled out for opening day.
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Suzuki, sidelined by a PCL sprain in his right knee, won’t be ready for Thursday’s opener against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday.
Counsell wasn’t ready to declare Suzuki imminently going on the 15-day injured list since the Cubs don’t need to make a decision until Wednesday when they can backdate the move by three days. But Suzuki is clearly trending toward an IL stint to begin the season.
“Once you get past opening day, we’ve got to make a decision,” Counsell said. “Just makes sense to give him some time, and we’ve got time to make that decision, but that’s kind of where we’re at. … We’re running out of time in terms of being ready that quickly. Nothing has changed with the original diagnosis.”
Suzuki suffered the injury March 14 while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Although he is progressing daily, he has not yet tested his knee with running or stopping and starting movements. Suzuki was scheduled to go through his normal hitting routine Saturday.
Counsell expects it would be a short time on the IL for Suzuki. If they backdate the move, Suzuki would be eligible to return April 1 for the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley.
“What can we get him on the field doing before we activate him? I think that’s important,” Counsell said. “And getting him comfortable with playing every day, playing in the field, things like that.”
The Cubs also informed veteran outfielder Michael Conforto he will be on the opening-day roster. The move is unrelated to Suzuki’s injury. The Cubs had to make a decision on Conforto’s 26-man roster status now due to the timing of stipulations within his minor-league deal.
The left-handed-hitting Conforto is line to get playing time in right field while Suzuki is sidelined. The Cubs also could give some at-bats in right to Matt Shaw and potentially the switch-hitting Dylan Carlson or Chas McCormick if either makes the team. The organization was attracted to Conforto’s big-league track record despite his pronounced career-worst struggles last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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