The Cubs have already been dealing with a handful of players missing time in the opening week of spring training games. Here are the latest injury updates on Justin Steele, Cody Bellinger, Patrick Wisdom and Seiya Suzuki.
Justin Steele
Let's start with some good news, as left-handed starting pitcher Justin Steele is back on track. He was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday, but even then the team didn't sound concerned. It was general arm fatigue that delayed Steele this week, but like David Ross said on Sunday, Steele threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is still expected to make his next scheduled start. -Via Marquee Sports Network
Cody Bellinger
Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger had already been at the team's training facility before spring training got underway and he played over the weekend. However, he's been out the past couple days. On Tuesday, Cubs manager said Bellinger was simply feeling under the weather. But it appears as though Bellinger is feeling better again because he's back in the lineup, batting fourth and starting in center against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.
Patrick Wisdom
If you look back at today's starting lineup for the Cubs, then you'll notice that Patrick Wisdom is once again not playing. He was scratched from Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks because he felt soreness in his left groin. It didn't seem like a big deal then and on Tuesday Wisdom was originally written into the lineup. However, the groin issue didn't get any better and Wisdom was scratched again. Now, he's out for a third straight day.
It is only spring training, so maybe it's not a huge deal.
Groin issues, though, that's another area that can be a nagging issue for a player.
Seiya Suzuki
The Cubs announced Tuesday that right fielder Seiya Suzuki has a moderate left oblique strain. Suzuki has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic and although the Cubs haven't set a timetable for his return we at least know he will be shut down for a few weeks with the news that he won't be playing for Japan in the WBC.
Suzuki spoke to the media on Tuesday and unlike his finger injury from 2022, Suzuki emphasized how he won't be rushing things this time around, especially going through with something he's never experienced before in his oblique strain.
If you are trying to figure out a timeframe for Suzuki, we've seen recent examples on the Cubs of players going through oblique injuries. In 2021, Nico Hoerner missed about seven weeks and last year left-handed starting pitcher Drew Smyly was out six weeks with his oblique strain.
This week, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was also diagnosed with an oblique strain and his return date is also between 6-8 weeks.
So, the Cubs obviously don't want to rush him back and Suzuki has the same mindset, which most likely means he will miss some time in the regular season. Best case scenario probably has Suzuki returning a week or two into April, but we'll see how he progresses through the month of March.
Jordan Holloway
One last note. Right-hander Jordan Holloway was one of many relievers the Cubs signed this past offseason and he made his first spring training appearance on Monday. Holloway only threw 10 pitches and was pulled after something felt off.
I have not seen an update on him. Hope it's not serious.
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