Seiya Suzuki Set for Cubs Return on Friday

The Chicago Cubs are expected to activate outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the injured list on Friday ahead of their three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Suzuki has not appeared for Chicago this season after suffering a sprained knee ligament while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

The outfielder has continued his recovery with Double-A Knoxville, where he has gone 3-for-8 with a walk and an RBI in three rehab games.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the focus remains on making sure Suzuki is fully prepared at the plate before returning.

‘We’re probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here,’ Counsell told reporters. ‘He didn’t get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It’s just making sure he’s ready to go offensively.’

Suzuki has also logged 10 innings in right field across two games during his rehab assignment with Knoxville, as the Cubs look to get him additional defensive work this week.

The 31-year-old delivered his most productive season with the Cubs last year, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 103 runs. Across four seasons in Chicago, Suzuki has posted a .269 batting average with an .818 OPS, along with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games.