The Chicago Cubs finally have a target date for one of their most important reinforcements, and the timing could hardly be more significant. Dansby Swanson is expected to return next weekend when the Cubs travel to Cincinnati to face the Reds, giving Chicago a potential boost at exactly the point of the season when every game has become increasingly important in the National League Wild Card race.
Swanson has been sidelined since suffering an oblique strain on August 16. The Cubs initially placed his expected recovery period at roughly four to six weeks, leaving open the possibility that the veteran shortstop could return before the regular season reached its final stretch. That possibility is now becoming reality, with manager Craig Counsell confirming that Swanson is being lined up for activation during the Cubs’ upcoming series in Cincinnati.
Before officially rejoining the major-league roster, however, Swanson is expected to complete a short rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Iowa. The assignment should give the Cubs an opportunity to determine how well his oblique has responded to game action and whether he can handle the demands of playing shortstop without restrictions. Assuming there are no setbacks, Chicago appears prepared to activate him next weekend.
The development represents a major step forward for a Cubs team that desperately needs reinforcements as the postseason race tightens. Swanson has already resumed baseball activities during his recovery, but the question had been whether Chicago would send him to the minors for a formal rehab assignment or allow him to return directly to the major-league lineup. The Cubs have now settled on the more cautious approach, which could provide Swanson with valuable at-bats and defensive work before he returns to the pressure of a postseason race.
Swanson’s return comes at a critical moment for Chicago
The timing of Swanson’s comeback could prove just as important as the player himself. Chicago has experienced a difficult stretch recently, entering Friday having lost six of its previous 10 games. The Cubs remain in a strong enough position to control their postseason destiny, but the margin for error has become considerably smaller.
Chicago is battling Philadelphia for the top Wild Card position in the National League, while teams behind the Cubs have rapidly closed the gap. The San Diego Padres are only a few games back, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are also within striking distance. What previously looked like a comfortable postseason position has become a race that could change dramatically from one series to the next.
That makes Swanson’s return particularly intriguing. Chicago does not simply need another bat; the Cubs need players who can provide stability, defensive reliability and postseason experience while the pressure continues to rise. Swanson can potentially address all three areas.
His defensive value is especially important. Pairing Swanson with Nico Hoerner gives Chicago an exceptionally strong defensive combination on the middle infield. Both players are capable of covering significant ground, making difficult plays and turning double plays efficiently. With the Cubs potentially facing high-pressure games throughout September and October, having that level of defensive security up the middle could become a significant advantage.
Swanson could also reshape Counsell’s lineup
Swanson’s return would give Counsell more flexibility throughout the roster. Instead of depending on a small group of players to cover multiple positions every day, the Cubs could return some of their younger players to the utility roles they have occupied for much of the season.
Pedro Ramirez and Matt Shaw are two players who could benefit from that flexibility. Rather than requiring them to carry a fixed position every day, Counsell could move them around depending on the opponent, matchup and health of the rest of the roster.
That could become especially useful against left-handed pitching.
Shaw’s versatility gives Counsell an opportunity to construct more favorable lineups against southpaws. Depending on the matchup, Chicago could use Shaw at first base while making other adjustments around the diamond. Tyrone Taylor could receive opportunities in left field, while Ramirez could be deployed as the designated hitter.
Those possibilities give Counsell additional ways to maximize his roster during the final weeks of the regular season. In a postseason race where individual matchups can determine the outcome of a game, that flexibility could be extremely valuable.
The Cubs still have a bigger problem to solve
Despite the excitement surrounding Swanson’s impending return, the Cubs cannot treat his activation as a solution to every problem they currently face.
The biggest concern remains the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen.
Chicago has experienced too many late-game situations in which leads have become vulnerable, putting additional pressure on the offense to produce more runs. That becomes particularly dangerous in October, when games are often decided by one or two key innings and every bullpen matchup carries greater importance.
Counsell will therefore need to find dependable late-inning options before the playoffs arrive. The Cubs can have one of the league’s most dangerous lineups and an outstanding defensive infield, but those strengths will not matter as much if the pitching staff cannot protect leads.
That is why Swanson’s return should be viewed as an important piece of the puzzle rather than a miracle fix.
Why Swanson could matter in October
The Cubs are entering the part of the season when depth and defensive consistency become increasingly important. Swanson brings experience in high-pressure games, a strong defensive reputation and the ability to provide another established presence in the lineup.
His return also gives Chicago more options. Counsell will not have to rely as heavily on inexperienced players to fill critical defensive positions, and he can move players around based on opposing pitchers and game situations.
Most importantly, Swanson’s presence could help stabilize the middle infield at a time when the Cubs are fighting to protect their postseason position.
The next step, however, will be monitoring his rehab assignment. An oblique injury can be particularly tricky for a baseball player because hitting, throwing and rotational movements all place stress on the area. The Cubs therefore have every reason to make sure Swanson is truly ready before placing him back into the lineup.
If the rehab assignment goes smoothly, Chicago could have its Gold Glove-caliber shortstop back for the final stretch of the season.
For a Cubs team trying to hold off several hungry National League contenders, that could be a major development.
Swanson is not going to single-handedly determine whether Chicago reaches October. The bullpen still needs to become more dependable, the rotation needs to provide consistent innings, and the offense must continue producing. But with the Wild Card race tightening by the day, getting one of the team’s most important defensive players back before the final games could provide Chicago with exactly the type of reinforcement it needs.
The Cubs now have a date circled on the calendar. If everything goes according to plan, Dansby Swanson will be back in the lineup next weekend in Cincinnati and he could return with the Cubs fighting for every inch of the National League postseason picture.
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