Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said on Thursday that right fielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) has resumed playing light catch and non-contact swings. He will likely stay on that type of program for the rest of this week in spring training. The 28-year-old suffered a moderate left oblique strain late in February and is slated to open the 2023 regular season on the injured list, but he could be ready to make his season debut before the end of April, barring any setbacks. The Japanese outfielder was slowed by injuries in his first MLB season last year as well, but he could improve in Year 2 at the plate if he shows more plate discipline. Suzuki won't be very expensive in fantasy drafts because of his injury, and he could be a nice value pick late in drafts.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) has been diagnosed with a moderate left oblique strain, according to the team. There is currently no timetable for his return to game action this spring. Suzuki has already pulled out of the 2023 World Baseball classic as a result, and he might not be ready for Opening Day, either. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised at all if the 28-year-old opens the regular season on the injured list, which is obviously a pretty big hit to his fantasy value as a top-25 outfielder. With Suzuki sidelined, expect to see more of Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom in the outfield for the Cubbies. Names like Nelson Velazquez, Christopher Morel, Edwin Rios and Zach McKinstry could also see more repetitions in the outfield in spring training as a result.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) officially withdrew from the World Baseball Classic Monday, per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The 28-year-old received tests on Sunday for a left oblique injury and more should be known Tuesday. While this news sounds discouraging, it may simply be that Suzuki and the Cubs want to be cautious so that he could be ready to start the regular season. He had a productive rookie season in 2022, slashing .262/.336/.433 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 446 plate appearances. Suzuki is currently being drafted at about pick 109 overall, so fantasy managers should pay attention to injury updates in the coming days.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique), who was scratched from the team's Cactus League debut on Saturday due to left oblique tightness, will have tests done on Sunday to determine the severity of his injury. The Cubs are expecting an update on his status on Monday. The good news for the 28-year-old is that it's still very early in spring training, so a minor injury may not get in the way of his readiness for Opening Day at the end of March. A finger injury caused Suzuki to miss a month of his first MLB season last year, but he still has an intriguing power/speed profile as a regular for the Cubs when healthy. As long as his injury won't cause him to miss any time to begin the 2023 season, Suzuki will be a borderline top-25 fantasy outfielder.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) was a late scratch from Saturday's Cactus League opener against the San Francisco Giants. The hope is that Suzuki was pulled as a precaution because the Cubs don't want to take any chances this early into camp. The team is calling the injury left oblique tightness, so he'll likely undergo further evaluation before he returns to the field. The Cubs might hold him out for a few days, but hopefully it won't be an extended absence for Suzuki.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Suzuki returned from the restricted list on Tuesday but hasn't played since. The 28-year-old Japanese outfielder has held his own in his first big-league season in the States, slashing .263/.336/.433 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, 48 runs scored and nine stolen bases in his 372 at-bats. With Suzuki on the bench again Wednesday, Patrick Wisdom is starting in right field and is hitting sixth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. Wisdom is hitting just over the Mendoza Line in his 446 at-bats for the Cubs in 2022, but he also has 25 home runs and 65 RBI, making him a boom/bust DFS option.

The Chicago Cubs reinstated catcher Willson Contreras (ankle) from the injured list on Tuesday and also reinstated outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the paternity list. In corresponding moves, the Cubs optioned Jared Young to the minors and designated outfielder Michael Hermosillo for assignment. Contreras is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler on Tuesday, while Suzuki isn't in the starting lineup. Contreras might be eased back into his role as the regular catcher, but the 30-year-old should be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Tuesday. He has 21 home runs and 54 RBI on the year in 395 at-bats for the Cubbies. Suzuki should eventually return to an everyday role in the outfield down the stretch.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who is on the paternity list, isn't expected back for the team's four-game weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates since his wife has not yet delivered their baby. Suzuki initially went on the paternity list last Saturday and was then moved to the restricted list on Thursday. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect to have him available until some point early next week. Michael Hermosillo should continue to benefit from extra playing time in the outfield with Suzuki out. He's back in center field and is hitting eighth on Thursday against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Hermosillo is still searching for his first home run of the season. He has just five hits in 51 at-bats with three RBI and 23 strikeouts. DFS gamers should look elsewhere.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki was placed on the paternity leave list on Saturday. The 28-year-old outfielder should miss the remainder of the Cubs' series with the Rockies this weekend while he spends some time with his family. He did miss Friday's contest with a left-hand contusion but X-rays came back negative so it's not considered to be a severe issue. Suzuki owns a solid .263/.336/.433 batting line to go along with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, and nine stolen bases across 372 at-bats on the year.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (hand, wrist) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. However, the good news is that his X-rays came back negative for structural damage after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand/wrist in Wednesday's game against the New York Mets. Fantasy managers should consider the 28-year-old Japanese outfielder as day-to-day heading into the weekend. With Suzuki out on Friday, rookie Nelson Velazquez is starting in right field and is batting eighth against Rockies right-hander German Marquez. Velazquez is hitting .211/.286/.375 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 18 runs scored and four stolen bases in his first 152 major-league at-bats. He'll be a low-upside DFS option at the bottom of the lineup.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (hand, wrist) went for X-rays on Wednesday after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand/wrist, according to skipper David Ross. Suzuki finished the game against the New York Mets, going back out to the field for the bottom of the ninth inning. The 28-year-old went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored before getting hit by the pitch. The Cubs have an off day on Thursday, so we'll see if Suzuki is able to return to the lineup on Friday for the start of a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. On the season, the Japanese outfielder is hitting a respectable .263/.336/.433 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, 48 runs scored and nine stolen bases in 372 at-bats.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has been feeling it lately, which was emphasized by his two-hit performance against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday in a 4-3 loss. He doubled, homered and scored two runs. Over his last 30 games, the 28-year-old rookie is slashing .297/.368/.468. Suzuki has had an up-and-down year overall but owns a respectable .264 batting average with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 46 runs and eight stolen bases across 97 games. He offers fantasy managers a bit of everything, and they should be starting him in most formats.