Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki is inching closer to a return from his PCL sprain in the World Baseball Classic.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Suzuki might return on the Cubs’ six-game road trip that begins Friday in Cleveland. Counsell said the next two days are critical for determining if Suzuki is ready for a rehab assignment.

“He’s got to pass two more tests, and [Tuesday]will probably be the bigger day in terms of workload,” Counsell said.

Suzuki has made progress each day in his recovery. The Cubs could use Suzuki, who hit 32 homers and 103 RBIs with a .804 OPS last season, back in the lineup and in right field.

“We’re at the last steps,” Counsell said. “We’re at basically full speed, like quick change of directions, quick stops, things like that.”

The Cubs have been adamant about ensuring Suzuki was healthy enough to return to the field. They didn’t want him to return earlier than necessary and risk compromising himself for the rest of the season. Counsell said the club “very much wants him to be capable of playing right field when he comes back.”

Cabrera’s debut

Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera made his Cubs debut Monday night against the Angels. All-Star Alex Bregman garnered the most headlines after he signed his five-year, $175 million contract, but Cabrera will be just as important to a roster that lacked enough starting pitching in the National League Division Series against the Brewers.

Cabrera’s average fastball velocity (96.9 mph) was in the 87th percentile. His whiff rate of 29.4% was in the 78th percentile. He brings velocity with swing-and-miss in his arsenal that differs from the other Cubs starters who rely on ground balls and soft contact.

To compete and be a contender in the majors, you have to have a starting staff that can strike out opposing hitters. But acquiring those pitchers is either expensive or requires significant prospect capital. That the Cubs traded former top outfield prospect Owen Caissie indicates the expectations they have that Cabrera can help them get over the hump.

The Cubs have grown adept at maximizing a pitcher’s strengths by tinkering with their arsenals or delivery, but Counsell quelled any notion that they have to fix anything with Cabrera, who allowed a 3.53 ERA last season.

“We acquired a good pitcher,” Counsell said. “We’re not trying to do much here. We’re just trying to get a good pitcher healthy and make as many starts as he can make. There’s not a lot of changes here.”

But Cabrera has embraced this next chapter of his career with the Cubs after spending five years with the Marlins.

“He has treated being a Cub as a real new start to his career,” Counsell said.

Catcher rotation

Carson Kelly got the nod at catcher for the Cubs on Monday. With Miguel Amaya healthy, the Cubs have a formidable tandem that is both adept defensively and at the plate.

How Counsell balances playing time will be watched throughout the season. Last season was one of Kelly’s most productive. He batted .249 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs. Amaya appeared in just 28 games last season because of an oblique injury and an ankle sprain.