Chicago Cubs Steven Souza Jr. healthy, ready to make a move

The Chicago Cubs Steven Souza Jr. has no issues. No injuries. He’s healthy, and he ready to see what he can do.

The Chicago Cubs Steven Souza Jr. is healthy after two years. In 2018, he strained his right shoulder and then missed more time with a pectoral injury. In 2019, he was coming across the plate. A freak injury and he hyperextended his left knee, missing the season.  Souza Jr. hasn’t had the best luck. But he’s healthy and ready to see what he can accomplish.

According to Jose Romero of the AP, the Chicago Cubs Souza Jr. was playing in his third spring training game.  He’s hitting .500 (4-for-8) with three runs, one double and two RBI. Small sample, but it looks impressive.

"‘What a blessing, I feel fantastic,’ Souza said. ‘I’ve almost been waiting to not feel good. That probably sounds bad but I just think with how dramatic the surgery was, you just kind of are like waiting for something to be sore or even stiff.’More from Cubbies CribCubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversationProjecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 seasonCubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnelJustin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the CubsThe future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs"

Now, if he can get past that feeling of dread, he can compete for a role in the outfield. He’s played right and left field, with an emphasis on centerfield. But his timing is ‘off.’ But he’ll get it back, as David Ross told to Romero.

"‘You can tell his timing’s off a little bit. That’s the hardest part to overcome, is just those live baseball reps when you miss a full season,’ Cubs manager Ross said. ‘But everything’s looking really smooth coming off the bat and the way he’s gone about his business is really professional.’"

There was an idea that he never be able to straighten out his leg. The Arizona Diamondbacks let him go this offseason. He had three significant ligaments torn. The Diamondbacks were done, but no fault of their own.

"‘Nothing against the organization, it was just the circumstances that came upon me. It was hard on me and my family, but that’s behind us and shoot, we’re excited. Just the enthusiasm the Cubs have brought in bringing me in here, it’s been really fun.’ Next: Contreras, catchers off to a hot-start"

The Cubs brought him as a ‘challenger.’ Somebody to push the likes of Ian Happ, Albert Almora Jr. and others. But Souza Jr. feels like he’s part of this team. Like Happ or Almora, he’s part of this. Whether right, left or center, he’ll be part of this rotation.

In the winter, he got back to work. Then, his siblings gifted a truck on Christmas Day to his parents. Mostly good spirits and the million hours they spent with him getting prepared for this opportunity.