MESA, Ariz. — About an hour before the Cubs’ Cactus League opener against the Giants on Saturday, the team announced right fielder Seiya Suzuki had been scratched from the lineup with tightness in his left oblique.
He was set to undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury and recovery time.
Suzuki committed to playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan, which begins pool play in less than two weeks. Cubs manager -David Ross said earlier Saturday that he’d talked to Suzuki about the amount of playing time he’d need to prepare for the WBC.
“We’ll adjust if he needs more, we’ll get him more at-bats and [make] sure he feels comfortable,” Ross said. “It’s all about setting him up to get ready for the season and getting him the reps he needs, and also to go off and compete at a high level when he leaves here.”
It’s unclear if the injury will change Suzuki’s WBC outlook.
Brennen Davis, the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect, replaced Suzuki in right field.
Mighty Maeve
The Cubs wore gray shirts that said “Mighty Maeve Fight Club” to warm up Saturday in support of pro scout Alex McClure and his family. McClure’s 1-year-old daughter, Maeve, who had a fatal brain condition called holoprosencephaly, died about a month ago. He, his wife and their other two daughters were at the game.
“Just trying to help any way we can and show them how much we feel like they’re a part of the family,” Ross said, “and we’re here for them and send them love in their loss.”
