Swanson Headed to IL With Likely Oblique Injury
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- Dansby Swanson exited Sunday's 11-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning with left side discomfort after swinging and missing the first pitch from starter Hunter Dobbins, immediately removing his helmet while heading to the dugout.
- Manager Craig Counsell said Swanson will go on the injured list with a likely oblique issue, pending an MRI on Monday — an injury the source notes typically sidelines players four to six weeks or more, threatening the rest of his regular season.
- Nico Hoerner shifted from second base to shortstop to replace Swanson, while rookie James Triantos drew a walk to finish the at-bat before taking over at second; Pedro Ramirez is expected to see most of the playing time there after starting Sunday at first.
- The 32-year-old Swanson is a two-time Gold Glove winner (2022, 2023) who was hitting .216 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs while batting lower in the lineup; Counsell told ESPN's Buster Olney during the broadcast he is 'critical to our defense' and 'one of the better shortstops in the game.'
- It's Swanson's first IL stint since May 2024 and just his third since joining the Cubs in 2023, per the source.
Why it matters: Chicago loses its two-time Gold Glove shortstop for up to the rest of the regular season, forcing a defensive reshuffle that moves Hoerner to shortstop and thrusts rookies Triantos and Ramirez into expanded roles. Swanson's elite defense — not his .216 bat — had been the constant in this infield, and replacing that is the harder ask.
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