Cubs encouraged by Suzuki diagnosis on injured knee

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament strain in his right knee, manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday in Arizona.

Suzuki had an MRI exam after suffering the injury while sliding into second base in the first inning of Japan's loss to Venezuela in the WBC quarterfinals on Saturday.

“Minor in nature,” Counsell said. “So we're going to treat it right now, kind of see how he progresses through the weekend and essentially, that will determine whether an IR stint is necessary.”

The Cubs will open the season at Wrigley Field in just over a week, on March 26 against Washington. If Suzuki isn't ready to play in the field, the likely replacement is Matt Shaw. Shaw has yet to play outfield in a major-league game, but is expected to be the Cubs' super sub now that Alex Bregman has taken over at third base.

Another option is one of the three veterans nonroster players in camp — Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson or Chas McCormick. One of those three is likely to make the Opening Day roster, since Tyler Austin will spend the first half of the season on the injured list.

“We got good news, for sure,” Counsell added. “Now it's just kind of move forward and see. Is the first day of the season impacted or is it going to cost him a week of the season? That's what we're trying to figure out and gather more information.”

Suzuki spent the majority of last season at designated hitter, but was expected to return to right field this year, now that Kyle Tucker left for the Dodgers. Suzuki hit .333 with 2 home runs for Team Japan.

Suzuki told reporters in Arizona he did some “sprints and squats” on Tuesday and expects to start swinging a bat Wednesday.

“I've been trying to move it around,” he said. “It seems like every day it's getting better. There was some level of worry, but based on all the testing, very optimistic about where I'm at. I promised myself I'm never going to slide in head first (again).”