Trending Now - Seiya Suzuki Out for Opening Day Due to Knee Injury
WHO:
Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs player
Craig Counsell, Chicago Cubs manager
WHAT:
Cubs manager Craig Counsell stated, "Opening Day is not going to happen," regarding Suzuki's availability.
Suzuki sustained a minor sprain of the right posterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a stolen-base attempt in the first inning of Japan's quarterfinal loss to Venezuela on March 14th, 2026.
Suzuki has been able to do light throwing and hitting since returning to the Cubs but has not yet advanced to running drills.
Counsell mentioned that Suzuki was scheduled to go through a normal hitting routine in the batting cage on March 21st, 2026.
The Cubs have informed veteran outfielder Michael Conforto that he will be on the Major League roster to begin the season.
Conforto was signed as a non-roster invitee but will be officially added to the 40-man and active rosters prior to the opener.
Seiya Suzuki will miss the Chicago Cubs' season opener due to a minor ligament strain in his right knee.
Suzuki suffered the injury during the World Baseball Classic.
The Cubs are considering placing Suzuki on the injured list.
Suzuki has a contract worth $85 million over five years.
Suzuki has a career batting average of .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games for the Cubs.
In 2025, Suzuki led the team with 103 RBIs and hit 32 home runs.
WHERE:
The injury occurred during Japan's game against Venezuela in Miami.
The Cubs' season opener is at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
WHEN:
The injury occurred on March 14th, 2026.
The Cubs' season opener is scheduled for March 24th, 2026.
Suzuki returned to the Cubs' spring training facility on March 18th, 2026.
WHY:
Suzuki's injury was caused by a headfirst slide into second base during the World Baseball Classic.
HOW:
Counsell noted that testing the knee with running, stopping and starting, and sliding will be important steps as Suzuki moves further into his comeback program.
Suzuki was seen walking slowly with a soft brace on his injured knee after returning to the spring training facility.
Imaging was performed to determine the extent of Suzuki's injury.
(UPDATED March 22, 2026 03:51 UTC)
Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that Opening Day will not happen for outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who is recovering from a minor sprain of the right posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, an injury he sustained during a stolen-base attempt on March 14th. While Suzuki has been able to do light throwing and hitting, he has yet to progress to running drills, and Counsell emphasized the importance of testing the knee with running and sliding as part of his recovery. In the meantime, the Cubs have informed veteran outfielder Michael Conforto that he will be on the Major League roster to start the season, officially adding him to the 40-man and active rosters before the opener.
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(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:40 UTC)
In a setback for the Chicago Cubs, Seiya Suzuki will miss the team's season opener on March 24 due to a minor ligament strain in his right knee, which he suffered during a headfirst slide in the World Baseball Classic on March 14. The Cubs are considering placing Suzuki on the injured list, as he returned to the spring training facility on March 18 wearing a soft brace on his knee after imaging was performed to assess the injury. With a contract worth $85 million over five years, Suzuki has been a key player for the Cubs, leading the team last season with 103 RBIs and hitting 32 home runs, while maintaining a career batting average of .269.