Well, it was only a matter of time before we started to see injuries pop up in spring training. Entering camp, we knew that starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks wouldn’t be ready for the regular season, but because of his performance in the last couple of years and more so the team’s pitching depth, his absence hasn’t been seen as a major blow to the team. Now, less than a week into spring training games, the Cubs are shutting down Seiya Suzuki and for the past few days, Patrick Wisdom has been sidelined with some discomfort.
Wisdom was written into Tuesday’s starting lineup as the designated hitter a day after he was scratched because of left groin soreness. Well, Wisdom is no longer playing today, as he was scratched from the lineup for the second day in a row. Wisdom said his groin issue doesn’t feel any worse or better than how it was on Monday.
Cubs infield prospect James Triantos will start in Wisdom’s place Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Like Seiya Suzuki and his oblique strain, a groin issue, even if it is only a small problem, can be one of those injuries that keep bothering a player even if they feel good enough to play. One quick move, one bad step, an awkward play and bang, it gets worse than it was. So for now, the Cubs are of course being extra careful with Wisdom, but I mean at this point with any injury that’s severe enough to make guys sit, we should definitely keep an eye on it.
Wisdom, who is entering his fourth year with the Cubs, is one of several players competing for the third base job this spring training. He also provides some roster flexibility, being able to play first base and has even logged innings at all three outfield spots.
In 2022, Wisdom slashed .207/.298/.426, with 25 home runs and a 104 wRC+ in 534 plate appearances. He did improve his strikeout rate, but it was still at a terrible 34.3 percent and after having a great defensive year in 2021 at third base, Wisdom’s defensive numbers were bad in 2022.
So, we’ll see how much longer Wisdom is out for. Hopefully he’s not because although he has major flaws at the plate, Wisdom is one of the few players on the team with a proven track record of hitting for power. If the groin soreness doesn’t get better, then that opens the door for guys like Edwin Rios to make a push for a roster spot, while Nick Madrigal and Christopher Morel would have a better shot at taking over the majority of the playing time at third base if Wisdom’s injury does get any worse.
Wisdom missed almost a week of spring training games and finally got back into the lineup against the Los Angeles Angels on March 4.
Wisdom went 1-for-2, with a walk in his first game back from the groin soreness.
Luckily for Wisdom, it seems like the time off was enough to take care of the discomfort. With right fielder Seiya Suzuki out, Wisdom might also be used in the outfield to begin the regular season.
