Nico Hoerner provides injury update entering Chicago Cubs offseason

The status of Nico Hoerner had suddenly become an important storyline of the Chicago Cubs' offseason.

Hoerner underwent surgery last month to repair his flexor tendon. It was an injury that wasn't revealed until after the 2024 season concluded but the timeline for Hoerner's recovery is uncertain. The general timeline for pitchers is between 6-9 months but the belief is the recovery for a position player wouldn't be as lengthy.

Hoerner was a guest on 670 The Score on Thursday and provided an update on his timeline.

“I don’t know. We’re working on it,” Hoerner said on his recovery timeline. “I think projecting that far out is a bit challenging.”

The optimistic spin on Hoerner's recovery is that it could take approximately four months. Such a timeline would have Hoerner ready shortly after the start of Spring Training but in time for the Cubs' season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan.

Hoerner's recovery form surgery also comes at a time when he figured to be in the middle of trade rumors this offseason. Hoerner was nearly dealt at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline last season with the speculation being that the Cubs could move the second baseman in order to add a different style of hitter to their starting lineup.

While Hoerner's surgery doesn't fully eliminate the chances that he will be moved this offseason, it seems less likely. If Hoerner were fully healthy and interested teams wouldn't have used the injury as an excuse to diminish the second baseman's value, there likely is a path to a trade for the Cubs. Now, with the injury, moving Hoerner doesn't add up for a Cubs team that needs an immediate return on investment. Given the injury, that would be a nearly impossible ask in a potential trade of Hoerner.