Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Set to miss season-opening series
Rotowire
Hoerner (forearm) won't travel with the Cubs to Japan for the team's two-game, season-opening series versus the Dodgers on March 18 and 19 and will instead remain in Arizona to continue his rehab, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Though manager Craig Counsell said earlier in spring training that Hoerner was bouncing back well in his recovery from October surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right forearm, the 27-year-old has yet to be cleared for Cactus League action. Per MLB.com, Hoerner is continuing to hit in the batting cage and working through a throwing program, but he's not on track to be ready to play in Japan in three weeks. The Cubs could turn to Jon Berti or Vidal Brujan to hold down the fort at second base in the two-game series against the Dodgers, but Hoerner may still have a chance at being ready to go for the team's domestic season opener March 27 versus the Diamondbacks.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Hoerner (elbow) is "in a great spot" and is "not gonna miss much (time), if at all," Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hoerner underwent flexor tendon surgery in October, but he has progressed to throwing and hitting as he continues his recovery. It's not clear when the second baseman might be ready for his Cactus League debut, but it's looking at this stage of his rehab like Hoener has a good shot of avoiding a stint on the injured list to begin the season.
Hoerner (elbow) has not resumed throwing or hitting, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hoerner spoke at the Cubs' offseason fan event and disclosed that he dealt with the flexor tendon injury throughout the 2024 season. While the issue should be repaired heading into 2025, his status is unclear to begin the campaign. Hoerner will also have roughly 10 fewer days to recover because the Cubs will open the season in Japan on March 18 against the Dodgers before returning stateside to play at Arizona on March 27.
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