“Ohtani will create memorable moments” joked Seiya Suzuki, referring to games in Tokyo｜大谷 翔平｜鈴木 誠也

The excitement of kicking off the season in Tokyo is shared by Japanese players of both teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, who will face each other on March 18th in Japan.
Shota Imanaga, the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, said he is enthusiastic about playing in Japan against strong pitchers.
Seiya Suzuki expressed his joy in playing for grandpas and grandmas who cannot travel to the USA to enjoy a game.
Suzuki joined the rest of the Chicago Cubs for their first full-squad workout of spring training on Friday. While looking forward to the team’s trip to his native Japan and his fourth season in the majors, the slugger also looked back at what he felt could have gone better a year ago.
Suzuki is a key performer for an improved Cubs team looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He hit .283 with 21 homers, 73 RBIs and 16 steals in 132 games last year.
After beginning his big league career in right field, he became the team’s regular designated hitter toward the end of last season.
That role is expected to continue this year after the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker in a trade with Houston.
Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said during the winter meetings that his client thought of himself as an outfielder, and Chicago had some conversations about a possible trade. Suzuki signed an $85 million, five-year contract with the Cubs in March 2022.
Suzuki and the Cubs open the season with a two-game set in Tokyo against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers.