MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani free-agency clue, Dansby injury, JV return

MLB Rumors: Will Dansby Swanson plays for the Cubs in London?

The Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the annual London Series, but could Chicago be without one of their biggest stars?

Swanson has been the best of the Core Four shortstops from this past offseason, with the top fWAR of the group. His patience at the plate combined with his defensive prowess has made Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office look smart for signing him to what many considered an overpay at the time.

Swanson was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning on Tuesday’s game, and underwent x-rays on his right wrist.

As Sharma suggests, it’s unclear whether or not Chicago will give Swanson the day off, or ask him to fly overseas given his current predicament. For now, though, all seems to be going as planned.

Thanks to a recent winning streak — eight victories in their last ten games — Chicago is just 3.5 games back in the NL Central. This puts them in a difficult spot heading into the MLB trade deadline, which is just over a month away. While Swanson won’t be available, players like Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman could be.

“You have to take it with a bird’s-eye view,” Swanson said after the team’s latest homestand. “You say, ‘Hey, we’re not playing good right now, but you always have to stay in the fight. You always have to show up every day to compete and good things will start to happen.’ A little bit of that adjustment in mindset has been good. It’s gotten everybody on the same page. No matter who you are, where you hit, when you come into the game to pitch, we’re all after the same thing. Sometimes we need a little bit of a refresher.”

Dansby is taking the right approach. It’s a long season, and plenty can change in just a month’s time.