Healthy Swanson remains out of Cubs' lineup amid struggles

CHICAGO -- Dansby Swanson's absence from the Cubs’ starting lineup on Saturday raised eyebrows. His absence again on Sunday made it clear the move was more than just a routine day off.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed before Sunday’s series finale against the Giants that the decision to sit the veteran shortstop was part of an intentional effort to give him a mental and mechanical reset as he works through one of the most difficult offensive stretches of his career.

“I think just at this point, just trying to give him a couple days away from the game,” Counsell said. “Obviously he’s healthy, he could be in there, but [we're] just trying to get a different look.”

The move comes as Swanson continues to search for answers at the plate. Entering Sunday, the two-time All-Star is batting .180 on the season and had collected just six hits in his previous 43 at-bats (.140) over a 14-game stretch.

While the offense has lagged behind, Swanson’s value elsewhere has remained evident. The two-time Gold Glove winner continues to anchor Chicago’s defense at shortstop and remains one of the club’s most reliable defenders. But with the Cubs trying to climb out of a prolonged offensive funk, Counsell felt stepping away from game action could be beneficial.

"The things that he’s working on doing, we think, are good things and the right things,” Counsell said. “We haven’t seen many signs of positive results from it, but let’s try to commit to a couple more days of good work and maybe cement some of those thoughts and habits.”

Counsell emphasized that the focus isn’t on a major overhaul. Instead, the Cubs are hoping a brief pause allows Swanson to reinforce some of the adjustments he’s been making behind the scenes.

“They’re just mechanical things,” Counsell said. “You’re trying to create good swings and consistent swing decisions. That’s what produces results.”

The timing of the move is notable given Swanson’s reputation for durability. Since arriving in Chicago before the 2023 season, he has rarely come out of the lineup when healthy. Last year, he started all but three regular-season games for the Cubs, and during his final season in Atlanta in 2022, he appeared in all 162 games.

Instead of Swanson, Nico Hoerner shifted to shortstop for both games this weekend while rookie infielder Pedro Ramírez handled second base.

The Cubs are hopeful the brief reset will allow Swanson to return refreshed when Chicago opens a three-game series against the Rockies on Tuesday in Colorado.

For a player who has built his career on consistency, leadership and everyday availability, spending consecutive days on the bench is unusual. But as the Cubs continue searching for ways to jumpstart an offense that has struggled for much of the past month, Counsell believes a short break may ultimately help one of the club’s most important players get back on track.