Seiya Suzuki to Start Season on IL Following Knee Strain in WBC Quarterfinal

Seiya Suzuki will miss the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day against the Washington Nationals due to a right knee ligament strain suffered during the World Baseball Classic.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki will begin the upcoming MLB season on the injured list, manager Craig Counsell confirmed to reporters on Monday. The 31-year-old outfielder suffered a minor ligament strain in his right knee during a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal match on March 14 in Miami. The injury occurred during Japan's 8-5 loss to Venezuela when Suzuki attempted a headfirst slide into second base. He was caught stealing in the first inning and was seen walking gingerly back to the dugout before being replaced in center field at the end of that half-inning.

This Seiya Suzuki injury officially removes him from the lineup for the Cubs' Opening Day matchup against the Washington Nationals, scheduled for Thursday at Wrigley Field. Suzuki returned to the team's spring training facility this Monday, where he was observed walking slowly while wearing a soft brace on the affected right leg. To determine the exact severity of the ligament damage, the outfielder underwent diagnostic imaging. Suzuki is currently entering the final season of a five-year contract valued at $85 million.

Statistical Impact and 2025 Performance

Suzuki’s absence leaves a significant void in the Chicago lineup based on his recent production. During the 2025 season, he led the Cubs with 103 RBIs and 32 home runs. Over the course of 532 career games with the franchise, the right fielder has maintained a .269 batting average while tallying 87 home runs and 296 RBIs. His power numbers from the previous year established him as the primary run producer for the North Siders prior to this setback in international play.

Manager Craig Counsell must now navigate the early portion of the schedule without his most productive power hitter from the prior campaign. The loss of Suzuki’s .269 career clip and his ability to drive in runs will force adjustments to the batting order as the team prepares for the Nationals. The timing of the injury, occurring just weeks before the regular season opener, halted the momentum Suzuki had built following his standout 103-RBI performance.

Roster Adjustments and Pitching Changes

In conjunction with the news regarding Suzuki, manager Craig Counsell announced several pitching staff decisions. Ben Brown, 26, has officially secured a spot on the major league roster and will be utilized as a reliever out of the bullpen. During the 2025 season, Brown appeared in 25 games, making 15 starts and 10 relief appearances. He finished that year with a 5-8 record and a 5.92 ERA across 106⅓ innings of work. Brown demonstrated high strikeout potential, fanning 121 batters while issuing 32 walks.

Conversely, Javier Assad will not start the season in Chicago. The Cubs have assigned Assad to the Triple-A Iowa rotation to begin the year. These moves solidify the pitching depth as the team manages the loss of their starting right fielder. Brown’s transition to a full-time bullpen role follows a season where he averaged more than one strikeout per inning, providing a high-velocity option for Counsell in late-game situations.

Path to Recovery and Contract Context

The focus for the Cubs medical staff now shifts to the rehabilitation of Suzuki’s right knee. The transition from a soft brace to baseball activities will depend on the results of the imaging conducted Monday. As Suzuki enters the fifth year of his $85 million deal, his health remains a critical factor for a team looking to build on his 32-homer output from a year ago. The quarterfinal loss in Miami not only ended Japan's tournament run but also significantly altered the Cubs' projected starting nine for the end of March.

With the Washington Nationals arriving at Wrigley Field this Thursday, the Cubs will rely on their depth to fill the vacancy in right field. The team has not yet provided a specific timeline for how long Suzuki will remain on the injured list beyond the initial Opening Day designation. The combination of Brown’s promotion to the bullpen and the shift of Assad to the minor leagues represents the first major tactical responses to the current roster health status as the club breaks camp.