Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki homers in first rehab game with Iowa Cubs
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
After finishing the first game of his rehabilitation assignment with the Iowa Cubs, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki walked back to the clubhouse located in left field in the top of the sixth inning. As Suzuki passed by the Iowa bullpen, the team's relievers stood up and gave him congratulatory fist pumps.
Suzuki celebrated his return to the field with a huge night. He collected two hits, including a long home run, during Iowa's 12-6 loss to the Columbus Clippers Thursday night. When it was all said and done, Suzuki finished 2-for-3 with a single, two RBIs, two runs scored and the homer.
"I'm pretty satisfied with the results," Suzuki said through an interpreter.
It was a perfectly passed first test for Suzuki in his first rehab game with the Cubs' top Triple-A affiliate. Suzuki has been on the injured list since May 30 with a left ring finger sprain. He suffered the injury sliding into second base during a game in Cincinnati against the Reds.
The injury lingered and Suzuki has been slow to return. But he was finally cleared to begin a rehab assignment in Iowa Thursday. Suzuki arrived in Des Moines this week with a trainer, interpreter and seven media members from Japanese news organizations covering his every move. He gave them plenty to enjoy with a big night at the plate.
More: Remember former New York Yankee Clint Frazier? Well, he's now 'Jackson Frazier'
Suzuki blooped a two-strike pitch into right field for an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. He later scored on a two-run single by Erick Castillo. Suzuki then had a productive at-bat in his second trip to the plate. He battled back from an 0-2 count and worked it full before going down on strikes.
The highlight of the night came in the fourth when Suzuki crushed a 1-1 offering, a 93-mph pitch, over the right-field scoreboard and near the bleachers. That was the final at-bat of the night for Suzuki, who was scheduled to get three at-bats in during his first game.
"Disregarding the results, just to be out there with everyone, it was really fun," Suzuki said. "The team's in good spirits. So, it was just fun being out there."
Being back on the field was one of the most important parts of his journey back. Another big part was how Suzuki felt afterward. Suzuki, who wore a protective covering on his hand while he ran the bases and played in right field, said it felt fine postgame.
"Finger feels great," Suzuki said. "Obviously it was my first game back for about a month now. So, a little fatigue. So, I just want to get my body adjusted back to the game."
The Cubs have been patient with Suzuki's recovery. But he's been sorely missed. Suzuki had already become an important part of Chicago’s lineup as a patient and potent hitter. During his 41-game stint with the Cubs, Suzuki hit .245 (34-for-139) with 12 doubles, one triple and four homers. Suzuki was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April.
Suzuki was the biggest pickup of the offseason for the Cubs, who signed him to a five-year deal reportedly worth $85 million back in March. He was an international superstar in Japan as a five-time Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star and five-time Central League Gold Glove Award winner.
When he could be back with Chicago remains to be seen. Suzuki said he planned to be back in the lineup Friday with Iowa. After that?
"Nothing's really planned out," he said. "I know I need to speak with the trainers here and obviously the people in the front office. So, I just want to move on with my day and talk to everyone and make a good decision at the end of the day."
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki has big first night with Iowa Cubs
