The Cubs took a hit to their infield mix with Dansby Swanson expected to miss roughly 4-6 weeks because of a strained oblique, but the timing still leaves open a return for the postseason.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that the issue is a Grade 2 oblique strain, noting, "Cubs news: Hearing it's a Grade 2 oblique strain for Dansby Swanson, per a source," Rogers reports. "Normal timetable is 4-6 weeks. That would have him ready for the postseason."
That’s the best possible part of a bad update for Chicago. Swanson is likely headed to the injured list on Monday, which would give the Cubs a chance to bring up a replacement and cover his roster spot while he works back.
The loss matters. Swanson has been a steady part of the Cubs’ season, even with the bat not fully carrying the load. He’s hitting just .216, but he’s still managed 18 home runs and 3.3 bWAR, helped by elite defense, a solid .704 OPS, and a few memorable swings and moments along the way.
Chicago has bigger-picture goals in sight, and the injury lands at a delicate time. The Cubs are 72-53 and sitting 5.0 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres for the top Wild Card spot.
They’re also 5.0 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race. If they close strong, a first-round bye remains on the table.
The calendar, though, makes this one tricky. A full six-week absence would push Swanson’s return to around September 28, just after the regular-season finale against the Boston Red Sox. If the recovery comes in closer to the early end of that range, he could still get back before the stretch run and be available for a likely postseason matchup.
For now, the Cubs will have to patch the position and hope the timeline holds. The encouraging part is simple: Swanson’s injury may cost him a chunk of the regular season, but it does not appear likely to take him out of October.
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