Emma: Steven Souza Jr. A Wild Card For Cubs

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(670 The Score) Steven Souza Jr. was trotting toward home plate in his Diamondbacks' final tune-up exhibition game in March 2019 when he suffered an unusual and horrific injury.
Souza's left leg buckled as he slipped across home plate. He flew through the air to the Chase Field ground before grabbing his knee. Souza suffered a torn left ACL and LCL as well as partial tears to two other ligaments. After a 2018 season marred by injuries, he then missed all of 2019 while recovering. 

"I'm not giving up," an emotional Souza said not long after the injury. "I'm going to do everything I can to get back out there."

The Cubs were willing to give Souza, 31, the chance to come back. Chicago signed him to a one-year deal in January and offered him the opportunity to be a reserve outfielder. With MLB now implementing the universal designated hitter in a shortened 60-game season, Souza could have more opportunity than anticipated and represents a wild card for the Cubs in 2020.

Drafted by the Nationals in 2007, Souza faced personal challenges that led to professional setbacks. He finally enjoyed a breakout season for the Rays in 2017, which was why the Cubs still saw a potential reward in adding him three years later.

Souza was a 3.8 WAR player in 2017, according to Fangraphs. That's something no everyday outfielder for the Cubs has accomplished since Dexter Fowler in 2016. In 2017, Souza had 30 home runs and 78 RBIs while posting a slash line of .239/.351/.459. 

Then came two years derailed by injuries, with Souza playing only 72 games in 2018 and missing all of last season. He arrived to the Cubs' summer camp last week with something to prove.

"For a guy that's had that much layoff, the swing looked really good," Cubs manager David Ross said Tuesday.

Where does Souza fit for the Cubs? That's still being sorted out.

In an outfield mix that includes Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Jason Heyward and Albert Almora Jr., Souza offers right-handed pop that the team has been missing from its outfielders. He could slot in the Cubs' lineups against left-handed pitchers. Souza has expressed to Ross his willingness to play any of the three outfield positions for the Cubs -- despite playing only 12 games as a center fielder or left fielder during his five-year MLB career.

If Souza performs, he could also get more regular at-bats as the Cubs' designated hitter, a position that Ross plans to fill by committee. Given Souza's health issues in the last two seasons -- and his negative defensive value, according to Fangraphs -- the designated hitter role could best suit his strengths. He could also get more playing time if he performs and Almora's offensive struggles continue.

Souza is another intriguing option for Ross and the Cubs to utilize during this 60-game sprint. His role is undefined for now, but all he wanted was another chance.

It's something the Cubs were willing to offer, and Souza is happy to have it.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.