CHICAGO — While considering several ideas to aid a beleaguered pitching staff, the Chicago Cubs are also planning to accelerate Dansby Swanson’s timeline to return, hoping the Gold Glove shortstop can soon help stabilize the entire operation.After getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers — and with one series win in the last three weeks — Cubs manager Craig Counsell provided a surprising level of detail about Swanson’s program during Friday’s pregame media briefing at Wrigley Field.Swanson, who has been sidelined nearly a month with a strained left oblique muscle, is expected to be activated after a short rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs are looking one week out and targeting Sept. 18, the start of a three-game series on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.“He’s far enough along where I think we’re confident,” Counsell said.Swanson will use the weekend to hit against a Trajekt machine, which simulates major-league pitchers’ velocities, pitch shapes and deliveries, as well as continue with his defensive drills on the field.The Cubs anticipate Swanson will need only two Triple-A games to regain a sense of timing before rejoining the major-league lineup in Cincinnati.
“That is the plan,” Swanson said. “If all that goes smoothly, which everyone is anticipating, then (next) Friday will be the day.”The timeframe would leave nine games remaining in the regular season before the start of a potential wild-card series. It would represent close to a best-case scenario for Swanson, who immediately felt something was off during an Aug. 16 game at Wrigley Field. He took a swing, grimaced, ripped off his helmet and walked off the field.Even before Swanson underwent an MRI, Counsell confirmed the shortstop would require time on the injured list.In Swanson’s absence, the Cubs still feature a solid middle infield with Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner, who moved over to shortstop, and Pedro Ramírez, a rookie widely respected for his instincts, maturity and versatile defensive skills.But the Cubs built their best-in-baseball defense around Swanson, who signed a seven-year, $177 million contract after the 2022 season. His chemistry with Hoerner and knack for making those split-second, game-changing plays cannot be replaced overnight.During last year’s playoffs, Swanson drew praise from Mike Shildt, the San Diego Padres’ manager at the time, who noted his defensive impact.“I don’t think they give an MVP for this round, (but) I’d give it to Swanson,” Shildt said, after the Cubs won their wild-card series. “I mean, Dansby played his tail off, man. He almost single-handedly beat us with his glove.”Swanson’s attention to detail is such that teammates sometimes call him “Coach.” As the shortstop for the Atlanta Braves, he earned a 2021 World Series ring and played in all 162 games the following season.Even with that ironman reputation, Swanson said he’s enjoyed watching the game from a different perspective, listening to other players in the dugout, making observations and offering suggestions.“I love being part of a team, which goes beyond just playing,” Swanson said. “It’s being able to show up and be there for the guys every day.”
