Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki goes for MRI to determine extent of WBC injury

MESA, Ariz. — After being examined by a team doctor on Monday, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki went for an MRI on his right knee to determine the extent of the injury he experienced while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Suzuki wore a light brace on his right knee while walking gingerly through the clubhouse at the Sloan Park training complex, a scene that was not exactly encouraging for one of the club’s most talented hitters.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell declined to speculate whether Suzuki is now doubtful for Opening Day and likely to spend time on the injured list.

“We’ll let the MRI tell us,” Counsell said. “Let’s get the information, and then we should be able to tell you that.”

Suzuki exited Saturday night’s quarterfinal loss to Venezuela after the first inning, limping off the field at loanDepot Park in Miami. He felt something while trying to steal second base, landing awkwardly on a headfirst slide.

Suzuki was particularly motivated to represent his country because he was sidelined with an oblique injury while his Japanese teammates won the WBC in 2023.

Suzuki, 31, was projected to help replace Kyle Tucker as the club’s regular right fielder and build upon last season’s solid performance (32 homers, 103 RBI), which reflected his growing comfort level in Chicago and accumulated major-league experience.

Suzuki is entering the final season of the five-year contract that cost the Cubs about $100 million when factoring in the posting fee owed to his former club in Nippon Professional Baseball. If healthy, he should be one of the most attractive free agents in the upcoming class.

“We felt like an MRI was necessary,” Counsell said. “We’ll see what happens.”