The Chicago Cubs welcomed Seiya Suzuki back at camp in spring training after the Japanese outfielder suffered a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs’ Opening Day roster could look a lot different, depending on Suzuki’s injury update later this week as the team’s starting right fielder underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his knee injury.
Suzuki banged up his right knee in Saturday’s World Baseball Classic between Venezuela and Japan. The veteran player attempted to steal second base in the first inning, but unfortunately Suzuki had to exit the game after hitting the ground hard with his right knee. He limped off and now after returning to spring training the Cubs are hoping for the best.
In 2025, Suzuki posted career highs with 32 home runs and 103 RBI as he became an important slugger in the middle of the Cubs’ lineup. The right-handed hitter has a brighter spotlight on him this year as Suzuki will once again return as the primary right fielder with Kyle Tucker’s departure in free agency.
The Cubs announced on Monday that Suzuki was examined by the team doctor and then had an MRI done on his right knee. At this point fans are on the verge of panicking, thinking about another lengthy stint on the injured list for Suzuki, who has missed time because various injuries in each of his first three years with the Cubs.
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Reporters in Arizona detailed how Suzuki was notably walking around gingerly in and around the Cubs’ spring training facilities on Monday, which led to more anxious feelings within the fan base.
The Cubs begin the regular season on March 26, which doesn’t give Suzuki much time to recover if he has to be shut down for a bit. Right now the best-case scenario might be a bone bruise for the outfielder that only puts him on the shelf for a few more days before he can return to action about a week before Opening Day.
Although it would be a blow to the Opening Day roster a 10-day stint on the injured list wouldn’t be the worst case for the Cubs and Suzuki. If he were to begin the year sidelined, then Matt Shaw might just end up being the Opening Day starter in right field.
The results of Suzuki’s MRI could also guarantee a spot for veteran hitter Michael Conforto, who signed a minor league deal at the start of spring training. The Cubs actually have a handful of recognizable players competing for bench spots in camp and if Suzuki does need more time to recover, then a guy like Chas McCormick could sneak onto the Opening Day roster. Meanwhile, Dylan Carlson already seems like he’s locked up a spot thanks to his productive spring training.
You never want to see key players going down with an injury, but if you had to pick a time during the season, then it’s now. The Cubs can cover up for Suzuki in the short term and that’s really all fans can hope for right now. Losing Suzuki for a long period of time would dramatically change the team’s look on offense.
Suzuki was primed for the best year of his career with the Cubs as he not only is one of their best hitters, but he’s also looking somewhat ahead to free agency after the 2026 season.
