Seiya Suzuki was a later scratch from that Boys lineup as the team told reporters (including the Chicago Sun-Times’ Maddie Lee) that the outfielder was dealing with left slanting tightness. More will be known about Suzuki once he completes some testing, although for now there are certainly concerns about his status given the fairly wide range of recovery schedules associated with oblique injuries. While Suzuki’s issue is relatively minor, it could create an immediate problem with his planned participation with Team Japan at the World Baseball Classic.
A sprained finger cost Suzuki about six weeks of his debut MLB season, but he still hit a solid .262/.336/.433 with 14 homers across 446 plate appearances with the Cubs in 2022. More is expected of Suzuki in his sophomore year (especially for a Cubs team looking to be more competitive), but the first task is to make sure he’s healthy and his angled injury doesn’t result in much missed time.
A few more notes on the two Windy City teams…
- The meads And Phillies were the other finalists for Jameson Taillonas Jon Heyman of the New York Post writes, Philadelphia offered Taillon just over the four years and $68 million he received from the Boys. Since Taijuan Walker Signed with the Phils for four years and $72 million, it could be that the Phillies offered similar deals to both pitchers and either Walker accepted first, or perhaps Philadelphia Taillon went with Chicago’s offer instead. However, Taillon said that “I thought I’d be a Met for a while,” suggesting New York was also strong in the running. Mutual interest between Taillon and the Cubs was possibly the deciding factor, as “the Cubs made a really strong first impression on day one of the free hand” and the team “made it clear from day one that I was my top priority.” If you can nerd and talk to me about pitching, that really works for me. They showed me a good plan. It was exciting.”
- The White socks tentatively aiming for May as Crochet Garrett‘s return date from Tommy John’s rehab, according to MLB.com’s Sox-specific injury and transaction page. Crochet underwent TJ surgery last April, so the 13-month layoff would fit into the procedure’s usual recovery schedule. The Sox have previously said Crochet will serve as an assist on his return, so he’ll need to build less arm strength than a pitcher returning to a starting role. Crochet is scheduled to transition from two bullpen sessions a week to one high-intensity bullpen session a week, aiming to break into game action during extended spring training and then a minor league rehab assignment.