Dansby

Swanson

Chicago manager Craig Counsell will stick with a near-identical lineup, with the exception of Matt Shaw at the hot corner instead of Pedro Ramírez, after Tuesday’s unexpected Game 1 shutout loss at the hands of Michael King and the Padres. Crow-Armstrong struck out three times in four plate appearances in that defeat. Here’s the full lineup: Crow-Armstrong (CF), Alex Bregman (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (2B), Matt Shaw (3B), Carson Kelly (C) and Dansby Swanson (SS).

Bregman is ready for the start of the postseason after returning to Chicago’s lineup less than one week after suffering multiple facial fractures when he was hit by a foul ball in the on-deck circle. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez filling in at the hot corner with Bregman limited to DH as he continues to recover. Here’s the full lineup for Tuesday’s series opener in San Diego: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Bregman (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (2B), Ramírez (3B), Carson Kelly (C) and Dansby Swanson (SS).

Swanson’s two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning brought home the only runs the Cubs would score in this loss to the Marlins. It tied the game at the moment, but Chicago’s bullpen would blow it later on. Alas, Swanson has now gone 4-for-15 with three runs scored and three RBI in four games since being activated off the injured list.

The Cubs are just easing Swanson back into action and giving him a day to recover after starting the first two games following his return from the injured list on Friday. He should be available off the bench if needed on Sunday. Nico Hoerner will slide over and cover shortstop while Pedro Ramirez starts at second base and will bat eighth against Reds’ right-hander Rhett Lowder.

Swanson delivered a 92-mph single off Cincinnati reliever Tejay Antone in the eighth inning. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in two of his four plate appearances in his return following a one-month absence with a left oblique strain. The 32-year-old shortstop is going to finish as a top-12 range option at the position on the strength of 18 homers and 17 steals in 462 plate appearances.

Swanson will take back over an every day role for the last week and change of the season. The low batting average has taken its toll on Swanson’s fantasy value, as he’s hitting .216/.300/.404 with 18 homers and 17 stolen bases. Still, he could be useful in deeper leagues for the final bit of the season.

It sounds like there’s a strong possibility Swanson will return for Friday’s series opener against the Reds. The 32-year-old veteran shortstop has been out with an oblique strain since mid-August. His impending return likely pushes rookie Pedro Ramírez back into a part-time role with Nico Hoerner shifting back to second base.

He’ll go on a short rehab assignment to Triple-A Iowa and then return to close out the series and be ready for the playoffs. The Cubs have mostly played Pedro Ramírez while Swanson has been sidelined, but $100 million shortstops will be lineup fixtures and Ramírez will likely see his role reduced after hitting .192/.259/.342 with three homers and zero stolen bases over his last 20 games.

It sounds like there’s a decent chance that Swanson is back for the final week of the regular season after getting a couple rehab contests under his belt. The 32-year-old shortstop hit the injured list with an oblique strain back in mid-August.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters that Swanson has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain and they’re hoping that he’s able to return in roughly four weeks. The 32-year-old veteran has graded out as a top-10 fantasy option this season, hitting .216/.300/.404 with 78 runs scored, 18 homers, 66 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 458 plate appearances. It sounds like there’s a decent chance that he’s ready for the start of the postseason, if the Cubs make it that far. It’ll be Nico Hoerner taking over at shortstop with rookie Pedro Ramírez seeing the bulk of the playing time at second base.