Nico Hoerner wasted no time making an impact in his return to the Cubs’ lineup. The first ball hit his way in a regular season game was a sharp grounder speeding toward the gap at over 95 mph. Reacting swiftly, Hoerner slid to his left, fielded it cleanly, and fired a precise throw to first—his first defensive test of the season, passed with ease.
That play in the second inning of the Cubs’10-6 victory on Thursday was the perfect way to mark his comeback after undergoing offseason forearm surgery. He also contributed offensively, going 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI as the Cubs kicked off their domestic schedule.
“This definitely feels like a true opening day,” Hoerner said before the game. “With the past week off, it’s going to feel pretty close to a regular opening day for most guys. It’s a fresh start.”
His injury had kept him apart from the team to varying degrees throughout spring training. Though he remained at the same facility, he had to sit out drills and games, watching from the sidelines.
“I can’t say enough about how much time and effort he puts in,” said left fielder Ian Happ. “First guy in, last guy out. He watched every game. He’s the ultimate teammate, and he cares. He was never going to not be ready for this day.”
Determined to be fully prepared, Hoerner stayed behind when the Cubs traveled to Tokyo, focusing on getting game reps on the minor-league side.
“I always thought Japan was probably out of the question,” said president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. “He actually got closer than we thought, but the travel would have cost him five games, and he needed that time.”
Upon the team’s return, Hoerner debuted in the 2025 Cactus League, playing in three of five spring training games between the Tokyo Series and the domestic opener. In his second appearance, he turned a double play with Gage Workman at shortstop and Justin Turner at first.
“That definitely felt good,” Hoerner said. “It’s one of the more taxing throws at second base, and even though I’d done it plenty in practice, it felt great to execute in a game. Those things matter.”
His surgery in October to repair his right flexor tendon—a procedure more common for pitchers—left his recovery timeline uncertain.
“Sometimes people think we’re being secretive,” Hoyer said. “But we truly didn’t know when he’d be back.”
Once the team decided he wouldn’t travel to Japan, they targeted opening day at home, a goal Hoerner achieved.
“Opening Day isn’t the goal—it’s staying healthy all year and being myself,” Hoerner said. “I still have to do that, but I’m checking boxes and feeling great.”
His presence was felt immediately. He made a sliding defensive stop in the second inning, hit an RBI single down the right field line in the sixth, and drew a leadoff walk in the ninth before scoring on Miguel Amaya’s double.
“I missed having Nico behind me,” said starter Justin Steele, who allowed three runs over five innings. “It’s awesome watching him all over the place. He made a sick play tonight.”
Fittingly, the final out of the game went to Hoerner. He shifted to his right, scooped up a grounder, and fired to first, securing the Cubs’ first win of the season—a triumphant return in every sense.
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