Suzuki gets encouraging update as Opening Day remains in play

MESA, Ariz. -- The fact that Seiya Suzuki was in a joking mood on Tuesday afternoon seemed to be as good a sign as any. A few days after the Cubs outfielder was forced to exit the World Baseball Classic with a right knee injury, and a day after limping slowly through Chicago’s clubhouse in Arizona, he had some one-liners ready.

"Hopefully, I can make sure my knee is glued back together,” Suzuki said via his interpreter, Edwin Stanberry.

The next several days will reveal more clarity around Suzuki’s status for Opening Day, but the Cubs and Suzuki were indeed letting out a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday. An MRI exam on his right knee showed a sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament that is “minor in nature,” per manager Craig Counsell.

Suzuki has been cleared to continue with light workouts over the remainder of this week, introducing more activities as he recovers and tests his tolerance. Counsell said that the Cubs will likely need to make a decision on Saturday about whether Suzuki will be ready for the March 26 opener, or if he will require a stint on the injured list.

"We got good news, for sure,” Counsell said. “Now, it’s just kind of move forward and see. … The question of, ‘Is the first day of the season impacted?’ Or, ‘Is it going to cost him a week of the season?’ That’s what we’re trying to figure out and gather more information on.”

Suzuki sustained the knee injury on a stolen base attempt for Team Japan in the first inning of its quarterfinals loss to Venezuela on Saturday at loanDepot park in Miami. The right fielder returned to Cubs camp on Monday, met with a team doctor and the team’s staff and then headed to get an MRI exam to gather more information.

Over the past few days, Suzuki has been wearing a soft brace on his right knee but indicated that he has already felt improvement.

"It seems like every day it’s getting better,” Suzuki said. “This is the first time with an injury of the knee, so there’s nothing that I can base that off. There was some level of worry -- how much pain and all that. But based on all the tests, I’m very optimistic about where I’m at.”

Suzuki joked that he was “faster than Pete” Crow-Armstrong, but added: “But I think my knee is still in Miami at second base.”

The Cubs are hoping not to have to deal with the loss of an impact bat in their lineup. Last season, the 31-year-old Suzuki enjoyed a strong campaign, piling up 32 home runs, 31 doubles and 103 RBIs in 151 games for the North Siders.

If Suzuki is sidelined for the start of the season, the Cubs have the versatile Matt Shaw as an option for right field, where he has been getting plenty of action this spring in preparation for a super utility role. Chicago also has a trio of veteran outfielders -- Dylan Carlson, Michael Conforto and Chas McCormick -- in camp competing for jobs as non-roster invitees. Prospect Kevin Alcántara (MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cubs prospect) on the 40-man roster.

The outfield is an area of solid depth for the Cubs, but Suzuki’s setback and potential unavailability for Opening Day adds a complicated layer to the roster puzzle.

"Seiya’s news made it more unclear,” Counsell said of the outfield and bench situation. “We’re going to give it some time here.”

Suzuki was excited to suit up for Japan in the World Baseball Classic after missing the ‘23 tournament due to injury. He hit .333 (3-for-9) with two homers, five RBIs and six walks in this year’s Classic, but exited in the first inning of Saturday’s loss. Suzuki tried to steal second, landing hard on a headfirst slide before walking gingerly off the field.

The injury and timing are unfortunate, but Suzuki’s teammates knew it was important for him to suit up for Japan.

"For Seiya,” said Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, who pitched for Team Canada in the WBC, “a guy who takes a lot of pride in his country and representing them -- and he didn’t get to do it last time -- I think this meant a lot to him and he wanted to be a part of it. So you can’t fault the guy. But any time you’re on a field there’s, unfortunately, a risk.”

Suzuki said he plans to be smart about returning to the Cubs, knowing the team hopes to have a deep October run after the 162-game season.

"It’s important -- the communication with the team,” Suzuki said. “[You’re] wanting to play, but you don’t want to rush it. I think for me, it’s important to take my time and make sure it’s completely healthy and then go from there.”