MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs are awaiting clarity on Seiya Suzuki’s injury.
Suzuki exited Saturday’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game between Japan and Venezuela because of right knee discomfort. He awkwardly slid headfirst into second base on a steal attempt in the first inning and gingerly walked off the field after replay review overturned the safe call to end the frame. Suzuki was immediately replaced in center field.
The Cubs aren’t expecting to know more about Suzuki’s injury, including the severity of it, until he is examined by team doctors. Suzuki flew to Arizona from Miami on Sunday morning and was scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon. He did not undergo any testing or imaging before traveling back.
“I think it’s going to take us through (Monday) probably to get our hands on Seiya and see what’s going on,” manager Craig Counsell said. “So I think it’s just best we wait and see and let our doctors and trainers take a look at him and see what’s going on.”
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Suzuki was thrilled to play in the WBC after needing to withdraw from the tournament in 2023 because of an oblique injury he sustained in camp. He appeared locked in during the WBC, going 3-for-9 with two home runs, five RBIs, six walks and one strikeout in four games.
If Suzuki’s right knee causes him to miss time, the Cubs have ample options for right field. Matt Shaw has been getting work in the outfield and can get at-bats there. Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick — all in camp as non-roster invites — give them players with varying levels of big-league experience and success. Kevin Alcántara provides more of an upside choice but also still has a minor-league option, creating a chance for more regular playing time at Triple-A Iowa.
“Outfield is an area we have the most depth, probably, on the team in this camp,” Counsell said.
Carson Kelly gets game action at first base
Chicago Cubs’ Carson Kelly, right, beats out an infield single as Kansas City Royals first baseman Brett Squires misses on the tag during the second inning of a spring training game Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Carson Kelly’s first base glove hasn’t gotten much use over the years.
He started taking some ground balls at the position last year before some games to initially get familiar with it in case Counsell needed him in a pinch. Then, a few days ago, Kelly was asked about how he would feel getting more first base work and was fully on board.
That culminated with starting at first in Saturday’s Cactus League game. It marked Kelly’s first game action there since high school in Oregon.
“It’s one of those things that you go at it with an open mind and just be willing to learn,” Kelly told the Tribune. “It was great to get some balls at me (Saturday) so if we get more opportunity over there, just soak it all up.”
Kelly has some infield experience. He was drafted as a third baseman and spent his first two years in professional baseball playing there until converting to catcher in 2014. Kelly has always kept his infield mitt and always had a first base glove, too, just in case. He lent it to Matt Shaw last week for his first start.
“Being a catcher, you have a general understanding of where everybody kind of needs to go anyway, so you naturally just fall in line, but just continuing to get reps,” Kelly said of knowing where he needs to be positioned on certain plays. “One thing that I appreciate my dad doing when I was a kid was you play every position. Play every position, so if something happens, you can go at least be sufficient over there.”
Javier Assad is grateful for WBC experience
Mexico pitcher Javier Assad throws against Italy in the second inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Right-hander Javier Assad’s stellar performance in the last WBC was a jumping-off point to a stellar first full season in the majors in 2023.
After a great individual showing for Mexico in the WBC last week, Assad has another chance to build upon that to fill a versatile role for the Cubs. Assad made two starts, including Mexico’s pool play matchup against Italy that determined which team advanced from their pool. He struck out the side in the first inning, but Italy tagged him for four runs on four hits, including two home runs over 4 1/3 innings in Mexico’s 9-1 loss that prevented them from advancing to the knockout rounds.
“I was very grateful for the Federation for trusting me and allowing me to take that final game,” Assad said to the Tribune on Sunday through an interpreter. “That was massive. We tried to go out there and give it our absolute best. Didn’t get the results we wanted but ultimately I think we went out there and gave it our all.”
Assad threw a bullpen Sunday and could get back into a Cactus League game as soon as Tuesday.