This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. Today's newsletter was written by Tim Stebbins. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- From 2020-22 with the Braves, Dansby Swanson played in all but two games, 382 of a possible 384. 

So, you can understand what it was like for him during the two and a half weeks he spent on the injured list this month due to a left heel contusion. 

“I felt like I was going a little stir crazy,” Swanson said. 

But although he was unable to play, Swanson refocused his energy into contributing in other ways. 

“I felt like I was everybody’s honorable assistant,” Swanson said, “hitting coaches, pitching coaches, everybody. I felt like I was essentially an assistant coach for the last two weeks. It was driving me nuts.  

“I love playing. I love going out there every day and being able to compete with the guys on the team and do things you can to win. But during the couple of weeks, there’s obviously other things that can be done. Just trying to have a good attitude about it.” 

Said manager David Ross: “He just can't turn it off. It's been fun watching him interact around the dugout and in the clubhouse. We've had a lot of good conversations while he's been down.” 

Swanson, the All-Star shortstop who joined the Cubs on a seven-year deal last offseason, is a crucial piece to the team’s success on the field, from his presence in the lineup to Gold Glove defense at shortstop and overall baseball IQ. That value also extends to his leadership. 

Christopher Morel, who’s moved around the diamond for the Cubs the last two seasons, saw a lot of time at second base, with Nico Hoerner moving over to shortstop, when Swanson was sidelined. 

Swanson offered Morel feedback on his positioning, including moments to keep runners on second close to the bag.

“He knows the game a lot,” Morel said of Swanson. “I know they go to him inside and outside the dugout.” 

Ross said he and Swanson have talked about cutoff and relay plays, with the shortstop giving feedback to help Cubs outfielders in those moments. 

“His makeup is off the charts,” Ross said. “That’s what we identified in the offseason, of just trying to get somebody that's wired the right way and thinks the right things and has been part of winning for a really long time.  

“It shows when you're around him consistently, just his willingness to impact others, lead, impart his wisdom and experiences on others. It’s just really valuable.” 

Maybe, after his playing days are over, Swanson has a future in coaching. Ross, when asked specifically where he could see Swanson on a staff, pointed to third base coach, “because he sees a lot. He's very aware of the surroundings, how the game is moving, the impact.” 

Swanson’s wife, Mallory, a star soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Women’s National Team, can see coaching in his future, too. 

“My wife tells me I'm for sure coaching,” he said. “I don't know. That's so far down the line. I do enjoy helping other people. That's just my personality in general, and obviously if it's going to help us win, it's like two great things at once.”