(Audacy) Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic as he deals with left oblique tightness, according to multiple reports Monday night.
The exact severity of Suzuki's injury wasn't immediately known. Suzuki had been slated to play for Team Japan -- along with the likes of star two-way player Shohei Ohtani, right-hander Yu Darvish, outfielder Lars Nootbaar and outfielder Masataka Yoshida -- in the WBC. Japan will now have to move forward without arguably their second-best position player. They will begin play on March 9 against China.
Perhaps more important is be whether the oblique injury will prevent the 28-year-old Suzuki from being ready for the start of the regular season. After signing a five-year, $85-million deal with the Cubs, Suzuki slashed .262/.336/.433 with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, 42 walks and a .770 OPS in his rookie MLB season in 2022.
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