Suzuki sits while reworking his swing and approach

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- Cubs manager David Ross recognized Seiya Suzuki required more than just a mental day off. What was best for the outfielder -- as well as the team during this torrid climb back into the postseason picture -- was a longer break to rediscover his swing and approach.

Suzuki sat out Chicago’s games against the Braves on Saturday and Sunday. The decision gave the right fielder time to work behind the scenes with the Cubs’ hitting group. His slump has been punishing and prolonged, but the North Siders are featuring one of baseball’s hottest offensive units at the moment.

The lineup’s overall success of late presented another reason to give Suzuki more runway to get right.

“I don’t think it’s anything long term,” Ross said. “But, we’re in a position where other guys are swinging the bat well. We’re really fortunate right now to have guys that are playing well. Seiya has been a big part of our success to get to this point, and we need him to be good for us to continue to go where we want to go.”

Ross made it clear from the jump that his plan for recently acquired corner infielder Jeimer Candelario was for him to get the bulk of the action at first base. That meant Cody Bellinger, who has played some first of late, could stay put in center. Mike Tauchman -- a catalyst for the lineup as a leadoff man against righties -- has shifted from center to right while Suzuki has been sitting.

Right now, while watching Suzuki’s at-bats, Ross has seen a hitter who has looked caught “in-between” with his decision-making. The manager said Suzuki has been working on swing adjustments, but that process has seemingly leaked over into his plate appearances.

“I've been there for sure, for long periods of time,” Ross said. “You're working on things and you don't feel right mechanically, and that creeps into your head in the box. Instead of competing, you're trying to figure out, ‘OK, where are my hands? Where's my leg kick? How's my timing?’ And your thoughts are in the wrong place.

“What we've got to do is get him right mechanically, where he feels like he can compete, and then, ‘Here's the plan. I'm gonna go and I'm looking for a heater up and away and I'm not swinging at anything except that unless I just get fooled. And I'm going to attack that. I'm gonna compete and get external with my thoughts and be in the box and competing with that pitcher.’”

Suzuki has shown he can be a dangerous hitter -- one who blends plate discipline with power -- when everything is synced up properly. In his first 42 games this season, the outfielder had a .293/.385/.487 slash line in 174 plate appearances. In his next 48 games, dating back to the start of June, he has slashed .214/.281/.310 in 210 PAs.

“[We’ll] give him a minute to work on some things,” Ross said. “We can see how off he is, and just not in rhythm. I think he’s beating himself up a little bit, wanting to produce for the guys. His heart is in the right place. He’s got to get his head in the right place.”