The 2026 World Baseball Classic has been the most popular incarnation of the event in its 20-year history. Not only are Major League Baseball stars representing countries from around the globe, the event has attracted more stars than ever.
The downside to allowing MLB stars to participate is inherent. The risk of injury is perhaps no greater than a spring training game, but it’s no less unfortunate when a player is injured in the WBC.
MORE: Japan makes big change immediately after shocking WBC loss
So it was for Seiya Suzuki, who left Japan’s quarterfinal loss to Venezuela with a knee injury on March 15. On March 17, Bruce Levine reported that Suzuki suffered a strained PCL and it’s uncertain whether he will be able to avoid the injured list to begin the regular season.
Suzuki, 31, collected downballot National League MVP votes in 2025, his fourth season with the Cubs. He’s a career .269/.346/.472 hitter in MLB and an important cog in the Cubs’ outfield after losing Kyle Tucker to free agency.
More to come on this story.
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