Here is what the Cubs’ lineup should look like once Seiya Suzuki returns

In the next week or soon after, the Chicago Cubs should be debuting the starting lineup they envisioned at the start of spring training. Seiya Suzuki is starting a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Double-A Knoxville, and the expectation is that he will be back with the big-league club by the time they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on April 10.

Over the past year, Suzuki has started to tap into the power potential the Cubs believed he had when they signed him to a five-year deal ahead of the 2022 season. Suzuki had a career-high 32 home runs last year, and likely added to the Cubs' comfort in letting Kyle Tucker walk via free agency during the offseason.

Projecting the Cubs starting lineup once Seiya Suzuki returns from injury

Along those lines, it'll be good to see Suzuki return to the Cubs' starting lineup. The Cubs haven't exactly capitalized on the scoring opportunities they've had this season, and Suzuki's return hopefully cures that.

1. Michael Busch, 1B
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Seiya Suzuki, RF
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
7. Carson Kelly/Miguel Amaya, C
8. Dansby Swanson, SS
9. Moisés Ballesteros, DH

At this point in the season, there's no need for the Cubs to switch the top two spots in the starting lineup. Busch has already proven to be the Cubs' best hitter, and Bregman, while the results may not be showing completely, has been having great plate appearances.

The debate starts with Ian Happ's spot, and given his early success, there's no need to make a change at the moment. Suzuki slots in as the team's cleanup hitter, paving the way for the Crow-Armstrong/Hoerner combination.

Chances are, the names in the top half of the order will remain the same throughout the entire season. The only real change could come with the development of Ballesteros. If Ballesteros proves to be the bat that he's been during his ascension through the Cubs' farm system, the team should want to give him as many plate appearances as possible.

Outside of the starting lineup, Suzuki's return will allow Matt Shaw to move into the utility role the Cubs had mapped out for him after they signed Bregman. Also, it should bring an end to the Michael Conforto experiment.