Overview
- An MRI confirmed a sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament in Suzuki’s right knee, which manager Craig Counsell called minor and good news.
- The Cubs will determine Saturday whether he is ready for Opening Day on March 26 or will begin on the injured list.
- Suzuki is not shut down and will keep doing baseball activities as tolerated while trainers target pain and inflammation.
- Team doctors from Japan, the Miami Marlins and the Cubs evaluated him before the MRI conducted after his return to Arizona.
- If he misses time, internal options include Matt Shaw with nonroster candidates Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick in the mix, as Suzuki enters the final year of his five-year, $85 million deal after a 32-homer, 103-RBI season.