In a rush to make Cubs, Souza back in waiting room
Cubs outfielder Steven Souza is back in an unfamiliar place at this time of the year.
Home.
Since beginning his professional career in 2007, Souza has always been busy with baseball from the early days of spring training until the end of the season.
The pattern ended last year. Wrapping up Cactus League play with the Diamondbacks, Souza stepped awkwardly on home plate during a March 25 game against the White Sox. After rolling around the ground in pain and being carried off the field, he had surgery to repair an ACL tear, LCL tear, partial PCL tear and posterior lateral capsule tear in his left knee.
Some knee injuries require little down time. Not this one.
Souza missed the entire season, but he didn't sit around feeling sorry for himself.
"Personally, I don't believe in that," Souza said. "I believe everything happens for a reason. I don't know what that reason was, but I know I'm stronger for it mentally.
"And if there's a silver lining, I got to spend a full year with my son and newborn daughter, my family. As we all know, in this game we don't get to spend a lot of time with our families. It was a huge blessing."
Until major-league baseball returns from the coronavirus pandemic, Souza will spend more time with his family back home in Seattle.
And when play resumes, he'll be more ready than most to get back on the field.
"I'm just looking to come in here, stay healthy and help this team win a championship," Souza said.
Joining the Cubs on a minor league contract, Souza is a legitimate option to play center field, where Ian Happ and Albert Almora are also in the mix.
Souza spent most of his time playing right field when he was with the Nationals (2014), Rays (2015-17) and Diamondbacks, mainly because there was no opening in the middle.
"I've played center field in my career, but I also played on teams that had incredible guys there in Kevin Kiermaier (Tampa Bay) and A.J. Pollock (Arizona)," Souza said. "Wherever I need to fit on the field, I'm just looking to help the team."
In 10 spring games with the Cubs before exhibition play was halted, Souza hit .273/.360/.364 with 2 RBI.
His best season was in 2017, when Souza batted .239/.351/.459 with 30 home runs, 78 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 148 game with the Rays.