Cubs Injury Notes (And One Brewer): Suzuki, Hughes, Hendricks, Urias

A few injury items to update before today’s game.

First, a set of Cubs who are out:

Suzuki figures to play in extended spring training games before heading to Iowa or South Bend (my guesses) for a rehab game or three. It seems like he’s checking all the health boxes, and the only question now is about how quickly he can get into game-ready shape at the plate.

I would say your fingers-crossed return is probably next Friday for the series opener against the Rangers at the super-duper earliest, but that next week is probably more plausible.

Hughes can theoretically return in just 10 more days, but I suppose might depend on the composition of the bullpen at that time, and also if he’s properly ramped up. He, too, will likely wind up on a rehab assignment at Iowa before returning (or being optioned).

The Cubs are taking it very cautiously with Hendricks, especially right now while they don’t have a need for another starting pitcher. There is no expectation he’ll be back before May, and the Cubs have not placed him on the 60-day IL. I figure he’ll definitely get several minor league starts (after extended spring training).

Meanwhile, the hamstring injury that sent Luis Urias to the Injured List after the opener against the Cubs must be pretty moderate (in the bad sense of that word):

That’s a really serious injury for the Brewers to weather. Although they can move Brian Anderson to third, he’s not Urias. And although they can call up Joey Wiemer to play right field, he may or may not be ready yet. Urias, 25, hit .244/.340/.426/111 wRC+ over the last two years, which is an important part of the Brewers’ offense.