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By Evan Massey
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Chicago Cubs have gotten off to a sluggish start to begin the 2026 MLB season. After entering the year as a top World Series contender, they are just 4-5 through their first nine games.
Craig Counsell and company have plenty of time to figure things out. However, the fans have already grown a little frustrated with the hot and cold start. Part of the slow start is due to the absence of star slugger Seiya Suzuki.
Suzuki has missed the first nine games of the year and counting due to a mild right PCL strain that he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. No firm return date has been suggested, but he shouldn't miss too much more time.
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With that being said, Counsell has spoken out with an update about his star outfielder.
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Counsell didn't provide a targeted return date either, but he revealed what the Cubs are waiting for in order to get Suzuki back on the field.
“We’re probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here,” Counsell said. “He didn’t get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It’s just making sure he’s ready to go offensively. We want him to play right field, so we’ll activate him when he’s ready to play right field.”
Already this season, it has been clear that Chicago needs more offensive firepower. Suzuki is the guy that could fix that issue.
Last season with the Cubs, the 31-year-old outfielder played in 151 games. He hit 32 home runs to go along with 103 RBI, while also producing a slash line of .245/.326/.478. Suzuki may not be the one fix that pushes Chicago to the World Series, but he would be a big step towards getting the offense back on track and elevating players around him in the lineup.
Hopefully, more good news is coming in the near future. Suzuki is an important piece of the Cubs' World Series dreams.
After completing their series against the Cleveland Guardians, the team will now face off against the Tampa Bay Rays on the road for a three-game series to start this week's action.
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