Chicago Cubs Monday Notes: Suzuki and Rios Updates
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There is finally some good news coming out of the Chicago Cubs camp. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki was seen taking contact swings on Sunday. This is part of the process, albeit a long one, in getting him back on the field for the Cubs.
Chicago manager David Ross said that Suzuki would be doing front toss and he has been running and doing mobility drills. It's a good sign for Suzuki who could be on the fast track to a return.
In the case of Edwin Rios, who is aiming for a roster spot, his spring has been incredibly encouraging. While he won't win the third base job outright (that likely belongs to Nick Madrigal) he should be in line for some playing time due to his versatility.
Ross likes what he is seeing from the utilityman as well.
“Man, I think Edwin’s been one of the more impressive guys in camp," Ross said. "Looking at who he was coming into camp, the adjustments he made for the San Diego game over there, and the at-bats he’s had since then, has been really impressive. He’s worked some walks, gotten some deep counts; he’s hit for power. The outs he has made are really deep fly balls in big parks. There have been a lot of barrels, loud noises.”
Rios talked about revamping his swing just a bit and what that can do for him at the plate moving forward.
"The leg kick was just very inconsistent," Ríos said. "So I kind of just got it to a spot where I was still getting into my back hip, but without having a leg kick, and being a little softer with my front side.
"And that kind of just opened up a lot of things and just made me see the ball. And when you're seeing the ball a lot longer, you're able to make a decision and not [freely] swinging."
Getting Suzuki back in the lineup with Rios who has unlocked his swing could help propel the Cubs as they improve at the margins. These are things that take a club from a .500 team to a contending franchise.
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