Suzuki (knee sprain) making progress, nearing rehab assignment

CHICAGO -- The goal for Seiya Suzuki during the Cubs’ first homestand was to make notable progress in his comeback from a right knee sprain. The right fielder has been checking off some important boxes, including during Sunday’s pregame workout at Wrigley Field.

Suzuki went through a variety of defensive drills, mixed in agility work and added running the bases to his rehab program ahead of Chicago’s series finale against the Nationals. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said it is possible that the outfielder might be ready to head out on a Minor League rehab assignment “at some point” during the team’s upcoming road trip.

“Right now,” Counsell said on Sunday morning, “that looks like where we’re trending.”

Suzuki is currently on the 10-day injured list due to his knee setback, which was diagnosed as a minor sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament. The right fielder injured the knee on a stolen-base attempt in the first inning of Team Japan’s quarterfinals loss to Venezuela on March 14 in the World Baseball Classic.

Technically, Suzuki would be eligible for activation from the IL on Wednesday, when the Cubs finish their current homestand against the Angels. He will need more time to get back to full-game stamina and accumulate at-bats, following only four plate appearances in Cactus League play before joining Japan for the Classic.

After an off-day on Thursday, the Cubs begin a six-game road trip against the Guardians and Tampa Bay.

Last season, Suzuki finished with career highs in home runs (32), walks (71) and RBIs (103), while also posting 31 doubles, a .478 slugging percentage and a 130 OPS+ for the Cubs. The right fielder then hit another three homers with a .613 SLG in eight postseason games in Chicago’s run to the National League Division Series.

With the injury occurring on a headfirst slide into second base, Counsell said sliding would be an important step for Suzuki to clear prior to returning to game action.

“Really, when you think about it,” Counsell said, “maybe the toughest step [is sliding], just in terms of that’s probably similar to how the injury happened. So to put some impact on the knee again is probably one of the last steps we’re going to have to take here.”

Counsell also noted that getting Suzuki back to full speed with his running will be another box to check in the coming days. During Sunday’s workout, the outfielder upped the intensity and mixed in changing directions on the run, but he has yet to go full throttle. Suzuki did his running on Sunday with a soft brace on the knee, as opposed to the bulkier brace he had been wearing.

“We’re getting pretty close to full speed,” Counsell said. “We’ve made a lot of progress this week. He’s without the knee brace. He’s running without a brace anymore -- just kind of a sleeve on his knee. So a lot of good things are happening.”