Right fielder Seiya Suzuki is making his much-anticipated return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup Friday.
Suzuki was activated from the 10-day injured list following his sprained right posterior cruciate ligament during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Japan. Outfielder Dylan Carlson was designated for assignment.
The Cubs also made a move in their bullpen, putting right-hander Phil Maton on the 15-day IL with tendinitis in his right knee and calling up Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa.
Suzuki will be a welcome addition to a Cubs offense that entered Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a .680 OPS, which ranked 14th in MLB. He is coming off a 2025 in which he slashed .245/.326/.478 with career highs of 32 homers and 103 RBIs.
Carlson signed a minor-league contract in January and made the club out of spring training primarily due to Suzuki's injury. But Carlson appeared in just three of 12 games, going 0-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts. If he clears waivers, it is possible that he reports to Triple-A to remain in the organization.
Maton had struggled in his five appearances, posting a 13.50 ERA in four innings with four walks and five strikeouts. Roberts is back for his second stint with the Cubs this season after being the extra player for Sunday's doubleheader, getting the final two outs of the 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki is making his much-anticipated return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup Friday. Suzuki was activated from the 10-day injured list following his sprained right posterior cruciate ligament during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Japan. Outfielder Dylan Carlson was designated for assignment. The Cubs also made a move in their bullpen, putting right-hander Phil Maton on the 15-day IL with tendinitis in his right knee and calling up Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa. Suzuki will be a welcome addition to a Cubs offense that entered Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a .680 OPS, which ranked 14th in MLB. He is coming off a 2025 in which he slashed .245/.326/.478 with career highs of 32 homers and 103 RBIs. Carlson signed a minor-league contract in January and made the club out of spring training primarily due to Suzuki's injury. But Carlson appeared in just three of 12 games, going 0-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts. If he clears waivers, it is possible that he reports to Triple-A to remain in the organization. Maton had struggled in his five appearances, posting a 13.50 ERA in four innings with four walks and five strikeouts. Roberts is back for his second stint with the Cubs this season after being the extra player for Sunday's doubleheader, getting the final two outs of the 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
