Cubs Announce Seiya Suzuki News After Removal From Lineup
Seiya Suzuki has been one of the most consistent hitters in the Chicago Cubs lineup since his arrival from Japan ahead of the 2022 season. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent after this season, currently in the final year of his five-year, $85 million contract.
Given the value Suzuki provides on a nightly basis, it is fair to say he has outperformed his salary. Across 57 games, he has posted a .255 batting average, .339 on-base percentage, .772 OPS, 10 home runs and 28 RBIs.
Although the Cubs have struggled since May, Suzuki is not the reason why, and he has continued to do his part in the batter's box.
Unfortunately, on Saturday, Suzuki suffered an injury during the game against the San Francisco Giants. While attempting to field a line drive in the fourth inning, he came up short, and while slowing down he injured his right knee, immediately going down in discomfort. The Cubs immediately removed him from the game.
After the game, manager Craig Counsell revealed that the reports were positive and the team would evaluate how Suzuki felt Sunday to see if he could return. Sure enough, Suzuki was included in the starting nine at designated hitter.
However, just minutes before first pitch, Chicago announced an updated lineup and removed him replacing him with Moises Ballesteros.
Counsell explained the decision while speaking with reporters during pregame, saying the team wants to be conservative with Suzuki despite him running pregame. He also said to consider Suzuki day-to-day moving forward (h/t Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune).
After departing last night's game with right knee discomfort, Seiya Suzuki was in Cubs lineup today as the DH but has been scratched.
— Meghan Montemurro (@MegMontemurro) June 14, 2026
He tested the knee by running pregame, but Counsell decided to give Suzuki a day off to be conservative with it. Suzuki is considered day to day.
The Cubs will travel back home after Sunday's matchup with San Francisco and open a three-game series Monday against the Colorado Rockies. That will be Suzuki's next chance to return to the lineup.
Chicago is finally picking up momentum, winners of three straight, so the hope is that Suzuki's condition continues to improve so the team can keep stacking wins, a task that becomes much easier with him back in the mix.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 10:56 AM.