CHICAGO — In a potentially damaging blow to their best-in-baseball defense, the Chicago Cubs are gathering information on Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson, who exited Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field with what the club initially described as “left side discomfort.”
Swanson swung at the first pitch he saw from St. Louis Cardinals starter Hunter Dobbins and felt something when he missed the 95.7 mph fastball. Swanson grimaced and ripped off his helmet before walking off the field in the third inning.
James Triantos replaced Swanson as a pinch-hitter and then moved to second base while Nico Hoerner took over at shortstop. Hoerner has developed into a Gold Glove second baseman, but he previously shifted off shortstop to accommodate Swanson, who signed a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs after the 2022 season.
Now 32, Swanson developed an ironman reputation with the Atlanta Braves, an attitude that helped him earn a 2021 World Series ring and that big contract as a free agent.
Although his offensive production can be streaky, Swanson is a roughly league-average hitter who has produced 18 home runs and 66 RBIs this season.
An extended absence for Swanson would presumably increase Hoerner’s responsibilities at shortstop and create opportunities for rookie infielder Pedro Ramírez and eventually Matt Shaw, who’s nearing a return from a lengthy stay on the injured list.
