Cubs may not have to wait much longer for Dansby Swanson after latest injury update

The biggest problem facing the Chicago Cubs right now is the bullpen, but the return of Dansby Swanson will also be important before the playoffs. Even with their recent struggles, the Cubs' defense has still been strong, but the absence of Swanson at shortstop has certainly been felt.

That's not to discredit the work Nico Hoerner has done filling in, he's been good, but the Cubs are strongest with Swanson at shortstop and Hoerner at second base.

Swanson suffered his oblique strain on August 16, and at the time, the Cubs provided a four-to-six week timeline for his return. Realistically, the hope was that Swanson would simply be ready in time for the playoffs. It turns out that Swanson should be ready sooner than that.

Dansby Swanson's Cubs return gets closer with rehab assignment nearly within reach

Swanson has been doing recovery work over the past couple of weeks, and the impression entering this week was that he was ready to take a step forward. It would seem the next step for Swanson is game action, and that could happen as early as next week.

Craig Counsell told reporters on Tuesday that Swanson could appear in games next week, though it's unclear if that will be through a minor-league rehab assignment or a return to the Cubs.

Conventional wisdom would point to Swanson having a rehab assignment before re-joining the Cubs for the final week and a half of the regular season. The problem with that is the minor-league schedule. The Double-A and Triple-A regular seasons comes to an end on Sunday. It's also possible that Swanson plays in simulated games at the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona.

Again, the much bigger problem for the Cubs is the bullpen. If there aren't clear answers identified before the end of the regular season, the playoff run won't be that long.

That said, Swanson's return will once again offer versatility for the position-player side of the Cubs' roster. Pedro Ramirez and Matt Shaw will once again be used in utility roles. It's even possible that some scenarios see Shaw getting a start in left field, especially against left-handed pitchers, down the stretch and into the playoffs. It's certainly more options available to Counsell than what he is currently dealing with across the team's pitching staff.

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