Seiya Suzuki's timeline is the biggest Cubs' injury concern ahead of Opening Day

With one week to go before Opening Day, the biggest injury concern that the Chicago Cubs have is the status of Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs revealed earlier this week that Suzuki is dealing with a PCL sprain, but is still cleared for baseball activities. The diagnosis is closer to the best-care scenario for the Cubs, but there remains a question of whether Suzuki will be ready in time for Opening Day.

North Side Baseball's Matthew Trueblood combed through the recent recovery timelines of players who suffered a PCL sprain, and the average is about three weeks, with some instances pushing closer to a month.

Under that scenario, that would place Suzuki's return during the second week of the regular season. Along those lines, the easiest thing for the Cubs to do is place Suzuki on the IL, and with a retroactive date, his return could be during their first road trip of the season when they play the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays.

Every key Cubs injury update before Opening Day

Suzuki isn't the only Cubs player dealing with an injury ahead of Opening Day. On the pitching staff, the Cubs have several arms that will open the season on the IL.

Justin Steele

Justin Steele's return appears to have suffered no setbacks during spring training. Elbow surgery ended Steele's 2025 season in April, and earlier this month, he was fully cleared for baseball activity. Steele has yet to appear in a Cactus League game, but has faced live batters in recent weeks.

Throughout the offseason, the expectation has been that Steele's return would take place by the end of May or early June. With the Cubs potentially needing to add multiple non-roster invites to their 40-man roster before Opening Day, it stands to reason that Steele will be placed on the 60-day IL in the days ahead. That would place his potential return during the final week of May.

Shelby Miller

Shelby Miller underwent Tommy John surgery in October, but that didn't prevent the Cubs from signing him to a two-year deal. The impression was that Miller would spend the 2026 season rehabbing and then be viewed as an addition to the bullpen ahead of the 2027 season.

There have been indications during spring training that Miller may be slightly ahead of schedule. Miller has been placed on the 60-day IL already, but he hasn't ruled out pitching for the Cubs this season. The veteran reliever is eyeing a September return to the bullpen.

Jordan Wicks

Jordan Wicks is expected ot open the season on the IL after being diagnosed with nerve irritation earlier this spring, but recent reports suggested he should resume bullpen sessions this week. He likely will take part in extended spring training before the Cubs determine his assignment to start the season. Short of an injury, it would seem likely that Wicks spends most of the season with Triple-A Iowa.

Porter Hodge

Porter Hodge's future with the Cubs continues to trend in the wrong direction. He will start the season on the IL after suffering a strained flexor tendon, and the Cubs have yet to provide a timeline for his return. Injuries have been at the center of Hodge's regression over the past year, and it's hard to imagine him factoring into the bullpen mix this season.