Dansby Swanson Injury Shakes Up Cubs’ Postseason Push
When you look across the league, there are many different faces and stars across the entire National and American Leagues.
Dansby Swanson is by no means a household name.
He won’t make people stop and stare, but he is a vital piece of the Cubs team that prides itself on defense.
Team Identity Is Defense
Teams, especially good teams, have a key thing they lean on. For some, it is offensive prowess; for others, it is lights-out pitching. For the Cubs, it has been the exceptional defense they play, especially up the middle. Led by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson, the Cubs have boasted the league’s best defense with ease.
Posting an Outs Above Average (OAA) of 62, and that extends beyond measure when the following team isn’t close. However, the Cubs have hit a snag in their plans that could spell doom.
Oblique Issues
In baseball, you’re gonna be twisting your body a lot. Both at the plate and at times in the field. Not only that, but it is a soft tissue injury. Those are tricky to get right early. Obliques are a baseball player’s worst nightmare, similar to a basketball player’s Achilles injury or a football player’s ACL.
Swanson immediately felt something wrong in his first swing against the Cardinals on August 16. MRI was done, and it was determined that a 4-6 week timeline of healing would be needed if you pay attention to a calendar that is right up against the start of the playoffs; what a time to come back if he does.
What Comes Next
Swanson said it best:
The Cubs have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/icbTOOtzmR
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 17, 2026
The Cubs do have some quality guys, but it won’t be easy. Hoerner probably moves over to short, leaving Pedro Ramirez to fill out at second.
Matt Shaw should be getting close, I would think. No doubt, though, Swanson missing will shuffle some chemistry around.
However, the Cubs have pushed through lots of performance slumps and injuries to the staff so far.
Let’s hope this one doesn’t sink them.
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