Hoerner's Road to Recovery: A 2025 Opening Day Question

Nico Hoerner, the Chicago Cubs' Gold Glove second baseman, faces a race against time to recover from flexor tendon surgery. The clock ticks louder as Opening Day draws near, igniting some worries among the Cubs faithful.

Last October, the revelation that Hoerner had undergone surgery to address an ongoing issue from the 2024 season sent ripples through the North Side. Despite appearing in a commendable 151 games, his ailment notably hampered his defensive prowess—though you wouldn't know it from his unyielding spirit on the field.

"I just couldn’t throw the ball, really, to be honest," Hoerner openly admitted at Cubs Convention. 

His candidness sheds light on the toll the injury took, especially concerning for a player whose arm strength dropped to a career-low average throw velocity of 75.7 mph, a stark contrast to his previous year's form.

Hoerner, no stranger to adversity, referenced a past UCL injury in 2018 that sidelined him but didn’t dampen his spirits. He drew a parallel to his current rehab, emphasizing patience over haste, a mindset that's earned him a gold glove award and respect across MLB.

Cubs GM Carter Hawkins echoed this resilience, highlighting Hoerner's unyielding determination to return to his peak form. Yet, even with a supportive front office and a player famed for his tenacity, the question of Hoerner's availability for the Cubs’ season opener in Japan looms large.

Amidst recovery, Hoerner has yet to resume throwing or batting—crucial milestones in his journey back to the infield. As the 2025 season inches closer, his readiness remains a balancing act between optimism and the practicalities of healing.