Cubs' Suzuki to start season on IL after tweaking knee during WBC

Suzuki is going into the final season of an $85 million, five-year contract. He has hit .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games for the Cubs, including a team-leading 103 RBIs with 32 homers in 2025. His performance last season established him as a premier run-producer within the heart of the batting order. The team’s front office acknowledges that replacing that level of offensive output is a monumental challenge for any roster, necessitating a tactical shift in how the manager approaches the batting lineup for the upcoming series.

The absence of such a high-impact player necessitates a broader look at how modern baseball franchises manage the physical toll of year-round competition. The rise of international exhibition events, while beneficial for the sport's global expansion, continues to complicate standard preparation cycles for MLB organizations. Teams must now balance the desire to support players in global showcases with the essential need to protect their internal assets. This delicate balance remains a point of contention and discussion among team executives, league officials, and players who value the opportunity to represent their respective home nations.