CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are dealing with their first injury issue.
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki was scratched from the lineup with left oblique tightness before the start of Saturday’s Cactus League opener at Sloan Park. No. 2 prospect Brennen Davis replaced Suzuki in the lineup, batting ninth against the San Francisco Giants.
Suzuki is under further evaluation. The Cubs are not expecting any updates on his status until Sunday.
Suzuki reported to camp bulked up, adding 20 pounds to his 5-foot-11 frame after spending the offseason focusing on better preparing his body for the grind of a 162-game season.
Suzuki’s oblique tightness could jeopardize him playing in the World Baseball Classic. He was supposed to leave camp to join Team Japan, which opens pool play in Toyko. Its WBC opener is less than two weeks away, slated for March 9 versus China.
