A key member of the Cubs is back after outfielder Seiya Suzuki was reinstated from the injured list before Friday's matinee against the Pirates. He'll start in right and bat fifth in his 2026 season debut. To make room on the roster for Suzuki, outfielder Dylan Carlson was designated for assignment.
In addition, right-hander Phil Maton was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Wednesday, with right knee tendinitis. Righty Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa.
Suzuki opened the season on the IL after sustaining a minor sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the World Baseball Classic.
The 31-year-old outfielder/designated hitter began a rehab assignment with Double-A Knoxville last Friday, and he tore up Southern League pitching. Suzuki slashed .429/.471/.571 across five games with two doubles and a walk, including a three-hit day Tuesday. He additionally converted all four of his defensive chances in right field. Suzuki struck out and walked in his final tuneup Wednesday before being replaced by a pinch-hitter.
“Seiya, last year, he was arguably one of our best hitters. Hit for power, got on base,” teammate Matt Shaw said on Tuesday. “So having him is putting one of the best hitters in the Major Leagues in your lineup. I think that's going to be absolutely pivotal for us.”
Suzuki has shown a knack for clutch hits in his career. He has a career .274 batting average and a .467 slugging percentage with runners on, and he excelled in that area during his career-best season in 2025.
His 103 RBIs led the Cubs last year -- despite a .213 average during an extended second-half cold streak. But he then heated right back up, hitting five homers in the final four games of the regular season and three more in the postseason.
The bat is Suzuki’s calling card, as he’s been roughly average or slightly below on defense every season. Even so, he's an upgrade for the Cubs. Shaw is still learning right field after coming up at third base as a rookie, and Michael Conforto has graded poorly over the past few years.