Seiya Suzuki's Return Timeline as Rehab Assignment Begins

Seiya Suzuki’s right PCL sprain, sustained on a stolen-base attempt in Japan’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela, has had a fairly significant impact on the Cubs despite the early stage of the season.

His injury has left the Cubs needing a solution in right field, and Matt Shaw’s performance thus far is nothing more than OK.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell suggested on Monday that Suzuki could head for a minor league rehab assignment soon when speaking on the right fielder’s status. Two days later, it seems Suzuki is ready for the next step.

Seiya Suzuki | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Suzuki heading to minor league's for rehab

The 31-year-old right fielder will head to Knoxville, joining the Cubs Double-A affiliate Smokies for their opening day Friday.

“We’re looking at probably three to seven days, somewhere in that range, just seeing how he feels when he’s playing and going from there,” Counsell said.

Seiya Suzuki (knee) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Knoxville’s season opener. Cubs manager Craig Counsell: “We’re looking at probably three to seven days, somewhere in that range, just seeing how he feels when he’s playing and going from there.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 1, 2026

A step in the right direction

Suzuki took batting practice Monday ahead of the Cubs’ evening contest against the Angels, MLB’s Jordan Bastian reported.

The following day, the right fielder worked on baserunning and defensive drills, as well as some sliding on a mat set up in the outfield.

“We really tried to put him through one last test, really,” Counsell said Tuesday. “We’re in a really good space.”

Suzuki’s ‘test’ on Tuesday was reflective of an earlier goal set by Counsell:

Cubs Outfielders | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

“Really, when you think about it, maybe the toughest step [is sliding], just in terms of that’s probably similar to how the injury happened,” Counsell said Monday. “So to put some impact on the knee again is probably one of the last steps we’re going to have to take here.”

Counsell and Cubs staff have deemed Suzuki ready for a minor league rehab assignment: he’ll practice with the Smokies on Thursday before playing in their season opener on Friday. The Smokies are set to face Birmingham, the Double-A affiliate of the White Sox.

Suzuki’s potential return

It’s expected that Suzuki will be in right field for the Smokies, as it’s important for the Cubs to confirm he’s recovered enough and not limited to just a designated hitter role.

Sending Suzuki on his rehab assignment now would put his return at the earliest April 6, per Bastian.

Feb 20, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) hits against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Sloan Park. | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Cubs are scheduled to face the Rays in Tampa Bay that day, following a three-game series in Cleveland. However, the Rays’ home of Tropicana Field has an artificial turf field, and Chicago may not want to risk Suzuki playing right field in that setting.

Should the team opt for caution by keeping Suzuki off the turf — and out of the series — he’d likely return April 10 when the Cubs host the Pirates. The team has an off day between the Tampa and Pittsburgh series.