This was announced late Saturday afternoon by manager Craig Counsell:
Obviously, this isn’t good news, though it seems possible that this IL stint won’t last too long. Earlier the team had said the injury was “minor,” but they obviously aren’t taking any chances.
This means that possibly all three non-roster outfielders, Dylan Carlson, Chas
McCormick and Michael Conforto, will make the team. Or, for a short-term bench player, perhaps Kevin Alcántara will break camp with the Cubs.
Counsell has said Matt Shaw will start in right field on Opening Day if Suzuki wasn’t available, which is now the case. Personally, I think this is a mistake. The eye test says Shaw doesn’t take good routes to balls and his arm isn’t what you’d want from a right fielder. Granted, Shaw hasn’t played much out there — which is, I think, good reason to start Carlson in right field, at least he’s played there quite a bit and has decent range and a good arm.
As always. we await developments. Today’s game preview will post in 30 minutes at 6 p.m. CT.
