Seiya Suzuki out

The Cubs say imaging showed a minor sprain of the right posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in Suzuki’s knee, the team diagnosis after the World Baseball Classic injury. (mlb.com) Suzuki sustained the injury on March 14 during Japan’s quarterfinal against Venezuela when he was caught stealing and slid headfirst into second base, then was replaced after the half-inning in the 8-5 loss in Miami. (espn.com) Since returning to Arizona, Suzuki has been cleared for light throwing and batting in camp but has not progressed to running, cutting or sliding drills as the club gauges his response to treatment. (mlb.com) The club will add veteran outfielder Michael Conforto to the 40-man and active rosters to provide depth in right field while Suzuki rehabs; Conforto was a non-roster invitee in camp. (mlb.com) Chicago’s schedule shows the regular-season home opener at Wrigley Field is March 26 against the Washington Nationals, and the Cubs have said they are still weighing whether to place Suzuki on the major-league injured list. (mlb.com) Suzuki is entering the final year of a five-year contract worth about $85 million and finished last season with a 2025 line that included 31 home runs, 32 doubles and 103 RBIs, numbers the club cited when discussing his importance in the lineup. (espn.com)