As MLB franchises flock to their respective Spring Training facilities across Florida and Arizona, fans will finally start to receive the much-anticipated updates on each team’s pivotal players. For the Chicago Cubs, it’s second baseman Nico Hoerner, who had flexor tendon surgery in October.
“He’s not going to miss too much [time], if anything,” stated Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Monday, as reported by Andy Martinez from Marquee Sports Network.
Hoerner, who has been a key figure in the Cubs’ middle infield for the last three seasons, played a career-high 151 games for Chicago in 2024. Hoerner has recorded an OPS+ exceeding 100 in every season since 2022 and has maintained a fairly reliable batting average during his time on the North Side.
The 27-year-old Hoerner posted a slash line of .273/.335/.373 across 641 plate appearances in 2024, stealing 31 bases in the process. Hoerner occupies the middle of the diamond alongside Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, who has encountered his share of injury challenges.
Swanson joined the Cubs in December 2022 and has served as the team’s shortstop for the past two seasons. The 31-year-old Swanson topped the league in games played during the 2021 and 2022 seasons while with the Atlanta Braves, participating in 160 and 162 games, respectively. However, during his two seasons on the North Side, Swanson has struggled to remain on the field. He missed several games in May due to a knee sprain and even confessed to MLB.com that he played through a sports hernia this season. Consequently, Swanson underwent core surgery but is anticipated to be ready for spring training.
In fact, Counsell pointed out that Hoerner’s surgery provides the team with some security in case Swanson experiences further setbacks.
“I want Nico to have the opportunity to play shortstop. He desires to play shortstop when necessary,” Counsell remarked. “My aim for this — and Nico’s aim as well — is to get him to that stage, and that holds significance.”
The Cubs will begin their Cactus League campaign with a matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 20. The regular season’s Opening Day — also versus the Dodgers — will take place on March 18 in Tokyo.
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