MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) – It hasn’t taken long for new Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki to find comfort with his teammates and manager David Ross. After all, he’s already razzing Ross.
"It's been pretty fun so far,” Ross said. “I was in the weight room the other day and I was eating some trail mix. He came up to me and pointed to the trail mix. He said, ‘Is that chocolate?' I said, ‘No, it's a trail mix. It's like a snack.’ He said, 'No, no, no, is there chocolate in the trail mix?’ I said, ‘Oh, yeah, yeah, it has chocolate.’ He then reached over and rubbed my belly saying, 'Chocolate.' He is way too comfortable with that already."
After starring in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in his native Japan, Suzuki joined the Cubs on a five-year, $85-million contract. He’s set to make his Cubs debut when they face the Rockies in Cactus League play Friday afternoon.
Suzuki has quickly made a good impression on his teammates, which Ross has enjoyed seeing.
“He has fit in really nicely so far,” Ross said. “The guys have really taken to him and him to them. Again, he has fit in really nicely. He seems to be really comfortable with the manager.
“He is a hard worker and very passionate about his craft. He works very diligently. He loves to hit, and he loves to be around the field. But the personality stuff has really stood out about him. He is super fun. I think he knows more English than he is letting on. He carries the star mentality very well. But just the fact he is one of us and how well he has fit in here has stood out as well.”
After Suzuki makes his debut Friday, the Cubs plan to give him a day off as he builds his rhythm up this spring. Opening Day looms on April 7.
“We just continue to watch and have him listen to the body,” Ross said. “We will talk to him about how he feels as he continues to build up. He will get a couple at-bats today and give him off tomorrow. We will reassess after that.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.