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Counsell: Bellinger, Suzuki Could Return for Cubs This Week

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated 5/4/24

The Chicago Cubs limped into the month of May thanks to injuries. Although still a respectable 19-14 on the season, the team's offense is in desperate need of reinforcements. Both of the teams top bats, Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki, have been out of the lineup since April 23 and April 14, respectively. Bellinger was placed on the IL with a rib fracture and Suzuki has been missing thanks to an oblique injury.

However, things are looking up. According to Cubs manager Craig Counsell ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers, Bellinger and Suzuki could be back playing with the Cubs as early as this coming week.

Per Craig Counsell, it’s possible we see both Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki back playing with the #Cubs next week.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) May 4, 2024

Both bats are incredibly missed. Although Bellinger got off to a slow start, he was starting to turn things around prior to the injury. In his last seven games before the injury, Bellinger was slashing .346/.433/.769 with three home runs and seven RBI despite a .226/.320/.440 slash line for the season.

As for Suzuki, the righty and dark-horse MVP candidate was slashing .305/.368/.525 with three homers and 13 RBI. Without the two- and three-hitters in the everyday lineup, the offense has gone stagnant. In fact, the offense has only posted more than four runs twice in the ten games with both players missing from the lineup.

Following the Brewers series, the Cubs have three games with the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field, an off day on Thursday, and then a three-game set in Pittsburgh over Mother's Day weekend. If Counsell's words come to fruition, both players could be back as early as the Padres series.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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