CHICAGO — Perhaps Dansby Swanson heard the questions being asked. With his performance at the plate continuing to crater, there were people wondering if it was time for the veteran shortstop to get more than a couple of days off.But for one day at least, those questions can be put on hold.Swanson slugged a two-run homer during a seven-run second inning in the Chicago Cubs’ 8-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.“I know that, at some point, good things will happen,” Swanson said. “The work has been really, really good the last few days. I really feel confident in the direction I’m going. It’s a matter of compiling those days.”One hit — one that had an xBA of .030 and was only a home run at six parks, including Wrigley Field — won’t fully quiet the rumblings of those wanting to see others get playing time for this team. Especially if Wednesday’s offensive outburst isn’t a more regular occurrence.Still, team president Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell aren’t ready to put Swanson to the side.“I think we should be continuing to invest in Dansby getting back to the offensive player that we know he is,” Counsell said. “That’s what needs to happen for this team. That’s just important to keep trying to do. The best way to do that is to have him out on the field.”Though Swanson’s offense is under the microscope, it’s not the reason why he was brought to town. It’s also not the reason Counsell feels so comfortable penciling his name into the lineup.When the Cubs targeted Swanson in the winter of 2022, they did so with his defense in mind.In a loaded class of shortstops — a group that included Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts — Hoyer believed Swanson was the one who’d stick at the position and produce at a high level defensively the longest.Three-plus years into the seven-year, $177-million contract he signed with the Cubs, the club appears correct in its analysis. By every advanced defensive metric, since 2023, Swanson has been either the best or second-best defensive shortstop.Dansby Swanson’s defense hasn’t been the issue for the Cubs. (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)His bat is where the concerns lie.Entering the season, Swanson had largely been a league-average bat, posting a 101 wRC+ over his three years with the Cubs. However, 2026 has been a slog for Swanson.“Obviously, Dansby has struggled,” Hoyer said. “He’s gotten some days off. I think he’s working hard to improve.”