Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Dansby Swanson be out with his oblique injury?
Swanson suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Manager Craig Counsell said he should be back in about four weeks, which could have him returning for the final nine games of the regular season.
Will Dansby Swanson be back before the Cubs playoffs start?
Yes, Craig Counsell expressed extreme confidence that Swanson will 100% return before the postseason begins. His 4-6 week timeline puts his return right around the start of the playoffs at the latest.
Who will play shortstop for the Cubs while Dansby Swanson is injured?
Nico Hoerner will slide over to shortstop to cover for Swanson. Veteran Owen Miller was also added as the backup shortstop option behind Hoerner.
Who will play second base for the Cubs with Hoerner moving to shortstop?
Rookie Pedro Ramirez will start at second base while Hoerner covers shortstop. Ramirez has been used all over the field as a backup this season, and this is a big opportunity for him to get regular starts.
How good is Dansby Swanson defensively at shortstop?
Swanson ranks fourth in MLB with 6 Defensive Runs Saved and third in Outs Above Average with 16 among shortstops. He has logged 1,023.2 innings at shortstop in 2026, fourth most in MLB, while committing just six errors, the second fewest at the position.
Aldo Soto
With a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University and a decade of Cubs reporting, my work has appeared on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast. I cover Cubs news and analysis for Sports Mockery, including roster moves, game breakdowns, and prospect development.
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