Not every Cubs player made the trip to Japan for the Tokyo Series — even if they wanted to be there.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner was one of them. Though he would’ve loved to join the team overseas, the Cubs decided it was best for him to stay back in Arizona to continue his rehab following October flexor tendon surgery.
On Friday, while his teammates were still recovering from their travels, Hoerner took an important step toward rejoining the lineup — he played in a Major League spring training game for the first time this year. While he’d already appeared in minor league games, this was his first action with the big-league club. Hoerner batted second and handled his usual duties at second base.
At the plate, he went hitless. He flew out to right field in his first at-bat, then to center in his second. In his third and final at-bat, he grounded out to shortstop. But at this point, the results aren’t the priority. What matters most is that Hoerner completed a full game in the field with the Major League team, less than a week before the Cubs restart their regular season with a series opener against the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
The surgery was on his throwing arm, and Hoerner admitted that being ready in time for the Tokyo Series would have been an “aggressive” goal. His focus has always been on making sure he’s fully ready for the Arizona series instead — the main reason he stayed behind.
He’s not fully cleared yet, but Friday was a big milestone.
“You’ve got to get your arm ready, but also your legs, your swing, your whole game,” Hoerner told reporters, including MLB.com. “Fortunately, I’m not too behind on that either, and I should be in a good spot to play.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Hoerner has “passed all the tests so far” to be ready for Opening Day in Arizona. If he’s not available, the Cubs will likely turn to Jon Berti at second base, who filled in during the Tokyo Series.
Hoerner is expected to hold down second base for Chicago over the next couple of years, as he’s signed through the 2026 season on a three-year deal. Last year, he posted a .273/.335/.373 slash line with seven home runs, 48 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. In 2022, he won his first Gold Glove after shifting to second base following the Cubs’ signing of Dansby Swanson to play shortstop.
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