The Chicago Cubs are at a record of 33-31, fourth in the National League Central and still searching for footing after a rough May. Manager Craig Counsell held shortstop Dansby Swanson out of the lineup and said that the veteran will sit out for a couple of days, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
The move is not injury-related. "He's healthy," Counsell said. The Cubs are instead giving the struggling shortstop a brief reset at the plate.
Swanson, a two-time All-Star and 2021 World Series champion, is in his fourth season in Chicago on a seven-year, $177 million contract that runs through 2029. In his time with the Cubs, Swanson has not really found his stride at the plate. He carries a .235 career batting average in Chicago with a .708 OPS.
The 32-year-old shortstop entered Saturday batting .180 with a .285 on-base percentage and 28 RBIs in 61 games this season. He went 2-for-16 in his last five games with one RBI and five strikeouts.
Counsell has talked about Swanson's struggles at the plate in the past but has backed him up, saying he's a better hitter than his numbers suggest.
With Swanson out, Nico Hoerner is sliding over to shortstop, giving more at-bats to the 22-year-old infielder, Pedro Ramirez, at second base.
© Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Swanson's defense has stayed sharp even as his bat has cooled off. He leads the NL in assists at 161, third in fielding percentage at .983, as well as total zone runs at shortstop with four. The Cubs will need Swanson to come back ready to contribute after a mental reset as the NL Central tightens.
