CHICAGO \u2014 The Chicago Cubs are planning to accelerate Dansby Swanson\u2019s timeline to return, targeting Sept. 18 as the date the Gold Glove shortstop is back in the big leagues.<\/p>\n
After getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers \u2014 and with one series win in the last three weeks \u2014 Cubs manager Craig Counsell provided a surprising level of detail about Swanson\u2019s program during Friday\u2019s pregame media briefing at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n
Swanson, who has been sidelined nearly a month with a strained left oblique muscle<\/a>, is expected to be activated after a short rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. That would put him on track for a Sept. 18 return ahead of a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s far enough along where I think we\u2019re confident,\u201d Counsell said.<\/p>\n Swanson will use the weekend to hit against a Trajekt machine<\/a>, which simulates major-league pitchers\u2019 velocities, pitch shapes and deliveries, and continue with his defensive drills on the field.<\/p>\n The Cubs anticipate Swanson will need only two Triple-A games to regain a sense of timing before rejoining the major-league lineup in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the plan,\u201d Swanson said. \u201cIf all that goes smoothly, which everyone is anticipating, then (next) Friday will be the day.\u201d<\/p>\n The timeframe would bring Swanson back with nine games left in the regular season ahead of a likely wild-card series. It would also represent close to a best-case scenario for Swanson, who immediately felt something was off during an Aug. 16 game at Wrigley Field<\/a>. He took a swing, grimaced, ripped off his helmet and walked off the field.<\/p>\n Even before Swanson underwent an MRI, Counsell confirmed the shortstop would require time on the injured list.<\/p>\n In Swanson\u2019s absence, the Cubs still feature a solid middle infield with Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner, who moved over to shortstop, and Pedro Ram\u00edrez, a rookie widely respected for his instincts, maturity and versatile defensive skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n