Suzuki Returns to Cubs Lineup in Rehab Game

It's April 4th, I'm Cory with the story.

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Sayas Suzuki just took a big step back toward the Cubs lineup, hitting the field for his

first rehab game with AA Knoxville on Friday night.

That's his initial action since tweaking his right knee in the world baseball classic.

He logged five innings in right field and got three plate appearances, smacking a single

in his first at bat, driving in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Next, and striking out later, the injury happened back on March 14th during Japan's quarter

final loss to Venezuela when he tried stealing second and limped off.

Docs called it a mild sprain of the posterior cruciate ligament, landing him on the 10-day

injured list to start the season.

Since then, he's been building up smart batting practice on Monday, outfield drills and

base running Tuesday.

Fans are buzzing because Suzuki crushed it last year with career bests, 32 homers, 71

box, 103 RBIs, plus 31, doubles and a 130 OPS plus.

He even popped three more bombs in the postseason push to the National League Division Series.

The Cubs need that pop back in the outfield, not just as a designated hitter.

Manager Craig Council says Suzuki might spend three to seven days in the minors before activation,

depending on how he feels in right field.

They ran him through one last test workout recently to make sure he's game ready.

Here it is, if he keeps feeling good, the Cubs could have their star slugger patrolling

right field soon, firing up that line of just in time.