SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Cubs are optimistic right fielder Seiya Suzuki avoided a serious injury during Saturday’s game at Oracle Park.
An awkward attempt to make a catch resulted in Suzuki exiting their 6-1 victory against the San Francisco Giants with right knee discomfort.
Suzuki walked off the field gingerly during the bottom of the fourth inning with manager Craig Counsell and a trainer after he stumbled and had his foot get caught in the grass trying to make a catch. He got up limping as he ran after the ball that went for a Matt Chapman single.
It’s the same knee he hurt during the World Baseball Classic that caused him to miss the first 12 games of the season. But Suzuki said the discomfort he experienced Saturday wasn’t to that extent.
“When I took that step, it just felt like my body moved forward,” Suzuki said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “I’m wishing it’s not a big deal. Wake up tomorrow, see how everything feels, and if I can go from there, go for it, and if not, see how it goes.”
Matt Shaw replaced Suzuki in right field.
Counsell said afterwards it was too soon to say whether Suzuki would be in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale.
“The reports after he came out were positive I think, but the most important thing is how he’s gonna feel tomorrow,” Counsell said. “No lineup decisions yet.”
Suzuki has been playing the best defense of his major-league career this season, taking huge strides in route efficiency and first-step reaction time. He made a stellar grab in the third inning, robbing Giants catcher Eric Haase of a hit by covering 88 feet in 28.8 feet per second to make a sliding grab to his left toward the right-field foul line. The ball had a 25% catch probability. Suzuki also recorded an outfield assist in the first by nabbing Bryce Eldridge trying to stretch a single into a double.
Suzuki’s 3 Outs Above Average (OAA) are tied for fourth most among MLB right fielders while he is tied for third in Fielding Run Value (four) this season.
“It was scary for sure (seeing him leave the game), but those two plays he made were pretty incredible,” center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “Everybody knows he’s got a really good arm, so it’s always fun getting to watch him show it off, and he put that thing on the money. So hopefully he’s able to go tomorrow or the next day. I mean, he seemed in good spirits after — can’t speak for him, obviously.
“But if he’s doing that, that’s a pretty all-around ballplayer that the league gets to watch, so it’s fun.”
The Cubs secured their first series win in five weeks with Saturday’s win over the Giants. Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Pedro Ramírez each hit home runs to lead the offense while right-hander Ben Brown held the Giants to one run in five innings to keep his ERA at 1.74.
The Cubs (37-34) have won three consecutive games for the first time since their 10-game winning streak ended May 8.
