You know what, I'm not actually sure if this is a bad injury update, but as Cubs fans have been all too familiar with, the latest on right fielder Seiya Suzuki is leaving us confused more than anything else.
Suzuki was having a brutal road trip out in California, but on Friday night he went 3-for-3, with a double and walk against the San Francisco Giants. That was after he had two hits in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. So, two solid games in a row at the plate after going 1-for-23 in the first six games out on the West Coast.
But then on Saturday, Suzuki was suspiciously out of the Cubs lineup in the middle game of their series against the Giants. It definitely raised an eyebrow and at this point nothing David Ross says is going to be taken to heart by fans. We also got the classic, "he's available off the bench," line from the Cubs manager.
Via Meghan Montemurro.
Seiya Suzuki isn’t in the Cubs lineup today as Ross gives him a breather because Suzuki is dealing with “some small things.” Ross says he’s available off the bench.
So, whatever the "small things," that were bothering Suzuki also kept him out of Sunday's series finale in San Francisco. This time around, we got a little more, but actually we didn't learn anything new. Or maybe we did? Kinda?
Via Patrick Mooney.
Seiya Suzuki is out of the lineup. He said, via an interpreter, “I’m not too sure” what the issue is, but “it’s nothing serious.” David Ross said Suzuki’s feeling “under the weather” with “some soreness in some areas.” Cubs want to give him a 3-day break with Monday’s off-day.
Huh? So, even Seiya doesn't know what's wrong? But also, maybe he's just feeling ill? I hope that's the case. Maybe just some body soreness because he's been feeling sick? Again, at this point your guess is as good as mine because for some reason the Cubs can never give a clear answer when it comes to players missing time. Hopefully after getting three days off, including Monday's scheduled off-day, Suzuki will return Tuesday, when the Cubs begin a three-game series against the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.
OK, now to the actual good update.
Outfield prospect Alexander Canario has been recovering from a pair of devastating injuries, but it looks like he's nearing his return to game action. This past weekend, Canario was running the bases down in Mesa, Ariz., in the Cubs spring training complex.
Canario, now 23-years-old, had an unbelievable season in 2022, before he suffered a shoulder and ankle injury after a freak accident, running to first base during a game in the Dominican Winter League. The right-handed hitter underwent surgeries to repair both injuries in the offseason and has been rehabbing ever since.
In 2022, Canario slashed .252/.343/.556, posting a 133 wRC+ with 37 home runs in 534 plate appearances. The power-hitting outfielder posted a .500+ slugging percentage at all three minor league levels he played in last season, ending 2022 with a .924 OPS in 20 games at Triple-A.
Once Canario is cleared to come back to play in games, he'll most likely get his first playing time in the Arizona Complex League before going back to Triple-A Iowa once he gets back into game shape and gets some rhythm at the plate. No idea how Canario will rebound from the injuries, but it's great to see him getting closer to returning because his trajectory after his 2022 season was leading to some MLB time as soon as 2023.
Who knows, maybe in September, a healthy Alexander Canario may get his first MLB call up to the Cubs.
