Is Seiya Suzuki playing tonight? Latest injury update for Chicago Cubs vs Mariners

In a surprising update on Monday, the Chicago Cubs recalled outfielder Nelson Velazquez on Monday while optioning right-handed pitcher Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa. The move came as somewhat of a surprise as Cubs manager David Ross told reporters last Friday that Suzuki may have an expedited minor-league rehab assignment. There was a belief that with the Iowa Cubs having an off day on Monday, Suzuki would be headed to Wrigley Field for the team's series against the Seattle Mariners.

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Ross indicated that Suzuki's minor-league rehab assignment will go on for approximately another week.

The Cubs head out to Los Angeles this weekend for a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers followed by a trip to Oakland for a series against the Oakland Athletics. It should be noted that Ross did not specify whether Suzuki would join the team in Los Angeles or Oakland.

Is Seiya Suzuki in the Chicago Cubs lineup tonight?

Suzuki will not be in the lineup for the Cubs on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners as he will be playing with the Iowa Cubs against the Omaha Storm Chasers.

There is no need to over-analyze the Cubs' promotion of Velazquez on Monday. With Suzuki spending the week with the Iowa Cubs and the Cubs having poor defensive play in right field from Miles Mastrobuoni and Trey Mancini, Velazquez is a natural outfielder that the team could deploy in right field. The hope is that while Velazquez is with the Major League team, Ross put him in the lineup on an everyday basis. It's likely that Velazquez will be sent down once Suzuki is activated but there is no reason for him not to start in right field. Velazquez was off to a hot start with the Iowa Cubs before the promotion and that is an encouraging sign for the team moving forward.