Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson’s durability has become intertwined with his game.
He started all but one game the last three seasons for the Atlanta Braves, playing more than 3,318 innings at one of the most demanding positions. So some concern is inherent when Swanson pulls himself out of a game.
Swanson exited Tuesday’s 14-9 victory against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning because of tightness in his lower left side.
Before the inning, Swanson, positioned on the infield grass at the edge of the dirt, made one warmup throw to first baseman Trey Mancini, turned toward the Cubs dugout and signaled he needed to be replaced. The quick sequence was captured by Marquee Sports Network’s camera behind home plate.
The game was briefly delayed because Nick Madrigal did not appear to know he needed to enter the game. Nico Hoerner shifted to shortstop and Madrigal took over at second base.
Manager David Ross didn’t sound overly concerned about Swanson after the game, saying the shortstop was dealing with cramping after spending much of the morning at the hospital where his wife, Chicago Red Stars and U.S. national soccer team star Mallory Swanson, was having knee surgery.
Swanson’s four-hit game — his first since July 1 with Atlanta — was part of an offensive explosion by the Cubs to erase the Mariners’ 7-1 lead after two innings. An eight-run third, punctuated by Nelson Velázquez’s go-ahead grand slam, fueled the comeback.
Swanson’s dynamic all-around game would be difficult to replace if the tightness causes him to miss any time.
