Suzuki Returns as Cubs Shuffle Roster, Maton Struggles, and Prospects Rise

Seiya Suzuki returns from his WBC knee injury and will debut for the Cubs as the team makes immediate roster moves ahead of a Pirates series, including the possibility of DFA’ing or waiving Dylan Carlson, optioning Kingery, or placing Ian Happ on the IL. While Suzuki is back, Matt Maton is fighting to fix a struggling delivery and may be used in low-leverage spots while he works through it. Mason Miller continues to dominate early with high strikeout rates, and Cubs prospects such as Jefferson Rojas are on the radar as the organization weighs external help (including Lucas Giolito) to fill Cade Horton’s rotation spot after Horton’s season-ending elbow surgery.