The Cubs’ rough stretch continued with Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Reds, which dropped Chicago into a tie with Cincinnati for second place in the NL Central. After spending a good chunk of the season’s first six weeks battling for the division lead, the Cubs are 7-16 over their last 23 games, thanks in large part to a lack of hitting. Since May 13, the Wrigleyville club has a collective 79 wRC+, ranking 29th of 30 teams in that span.
More bad news might’ve come for the lineup on Friday, when Seiya Suzuki left the game due to discomfort in his left side. Suzuki was hit in the side by the ball while stealing second base in the first inning and told MLB.com and other media after the game that his side “tightened up” before he eventually left in the sixth inning. The move was described as precautionary, in part because Suzuki has already spent four weeks on the injured list this season due to a left oblique strain.
That absence halted a strong start to Suzuki’s 2024 campaign, and the outfielder hasn’t looked the same since his return. Suzuki had an .893 OPS over his first 68 plate appearances, but has hit .234/.298/.415 in 104 PA since being activated from the IL. It could be that a couple of days off might help Suzuki both heal his contusion and act as a refresher for his season, even if Chicago needs all the help it can get at the plate at the moment. The Cubs don’t play on Monday, so if Suzuki doesn’t show improvement Saturday, it’s possible he might sit both games this weekend to see if he can be fully ready for Tuesday and the start of the Cubs’ series with the Rays
While Suzuki’s ailment appears to be mild at this time, Nico Hoerner’s right hand problem may be more serious given that the second baseman missed Friday’s game because of swelling and soreness. After being struck by a fastball on Thursday, Hoerner told reporters, including Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, that it was “always scary.” Many tiny bones there, and regrettably, it occurs quite frequently. But it appears that I was fortunate. Hopefully, it’s simply bruising and will go away as soon as the irritation is reduced.
Hoerner’s condition is still unknown because, in the words of manager Craig Counsell, his initial round of x-rays was “somewhat inconclusive.” He will be undergoing additional testing. If Hoerner has escaped without any visible breaks, it’s possible that his hand is still too swollen for a thorough inspection. This could indicate the presence of a lesser fracture. Following a comparable HBP episode in 2019, Hoerner shattered a little bone in his right wrist, as he revealed to Lee and company.
For Hoerner, who is batting, the season has been somewhat ordinary.With two home runs in his first 241 at-bats, he hit 252/.344/.352. His 105 wRC+ is almost identical to the 104 wRC+ he averaged from 2021–2023, and he is still making a lot of contact but not much solid contact. One benefit is that Hoerner’s walk rate has significantly increased; at 10%, it now surpasses his exceptional strikeout percentage of 9.5%. Hoerner’s defensive statistics average out at roughly mediocre, which is a significant decline for a fielder (and current Gold Glove winner) who is typically among the best in the league at second base.
In place of Hoerner, David Bote began at second base on Friday and may get a lot of regular play if Hoerner is sent to the injured list. Since Nick Madrigal broke his hand in a Triple-A game earlier this week—also after being struck by a pitch—the Cubs might have a depth problem in the infield. Since both Miles Mastrobuoni and Luis Vazquez are on the 40-man roster, if Hoerner had to miss time, one of those infielders would almost probably be called up.
On Friday, right-hander Keegan Thompson and left-hander Jordan Wicks were both activated off the 15-day injured list, providing the Cubs with some additional depth. After missing time due to a viral virus since the middle of May, Thompson was optioned to Triple-A.
Wicks is still listed as a major leaguer, and Counsell said the southpaw will be used as a long relief pitcher out of the Cubs’ bullpen for the time being. Wicks made his first five MLB appearances this season covering for a few other ailing Cubs pitchers. However, with Chicago currently experiencing unusual rotation health, Wicks will now join the relief corps and most likely be the first man up in the event of another injury. Due to a forearm injury, Wicks hasn’t pitched since April 23.
