Seiya exits quarterfinals vs. Venezuela with right knee discomfort

MIAMI -- Cubs star Seiya Suzuki exited Japan's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal loss against Venezuela with right knee discomfort following a stolen-base attempt in the first inning.

Suzuki walked off the field limping after he was caught stealing to end the bottom of the first during Japan's 8-5 loss on Saturday at loanDepot park.

He will continue to be evaluated, per a team announcement during the game. There was not an update on Suzuki after the game.

"I’m just hoping it turns out to be positive news and that it won't affect his season," teammate Shohei Ohtani said after the game. Ohtani said he had talked to Suzuki during the game about how he was feeling, but that Suzuki had not yet had any further imaging at the time.

Suzuki walked in his first at-bat and took off for second with two outs and Kazuma Okamoto at the plate. He dove headfirst into second base. Suzuki was initially called safe, but the call was overturned on review.

Suzuki got up gingerly and was helped off the field by a Japan athletic trainer. He was replaced in center field by Shota Morishita to begin the second inning.

The 31-year-old outfielder and DH had a career-high 32 home runs and 103 RBIs for the Cubs last season, his fourth in the Majors. He finished 20th in National League MVP voting.

With Japan eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, Suzuki will be reporting back to Cubs Spring Training. Chicago plays its regular season opener on March 26 at Wrigley Field.