Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Cubs to be without OF Seiya Suzuki for beginning of season

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 2:28 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs will begin the season without one of their most powerful bats.

According to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki will begin the season on the injured list.

Suzuki injured his knee while playing for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The official diagnosis for Suzuki was a strained PCL, and that will ultimately cause him to miss at least the first two weeks of the season for Chicago.

Seiya Suzuki will start the season on the IL, and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A, Craig Counsell announced today. pic.twitter.com/JTfCan9RQd
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 23, 2026

Seiya Suzuki is coming off a weird season

The 2025 season for Suzuki was arguably the best of his MLB career. Suzuki set career highs in home runs (32), RBI (103) and walks (71).

Weirdly enough, though, those numbers came with a career-worst .245 average and career-high 164 strikeouts. The up-and-down season got Suzuki a 20th-place finish in National League MVP voting.

Who will be the early replacement for Seiya Suzuki?

Chicago will have multiple options to fill the void in right field during Suzuki's absence.

Veteran outfielder Michael Conforto may certainly be an option. Another will be utilityman Matt Shaw. A middle infielder in college, Shaw spent a majority of his time last season at third base but is being transitioned into a utility player with the signing of Alex Bregman.

It is likely that it will be Conforto and Shaw splitting time in the outfield while Suzuki gears up to make his season debut.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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