Patrick Mooney of The Athletic notes that Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Hoerner has been recovering from surgery for his flexor tendon since last October, holding him to only two Cactus League appearances this spring. The 27-year-old played in his first outings over the weekend, going 1-for-6 with a single. He's hit just 26 home runs over the prior three seasons combined but has been an excellent source of batting average and steals when healthy. Additionally, he's struck out 12.1% of the time or less since 2022. The former first-round pick hit 35 doubles in 2024 -- the highest mark of his six-year career.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) is starting at second base and is batting second in the team's Cactus League game on Friday against the San Diego Padres. Hoerner continues to recover from flexor-tendon surgery last October, which kept him from appearing in the season-opening, two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hoerner will be in the lineup on Friday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready for the U.S. opener next Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. When fully healthy, the 27-year-old will resume duties as the team's regular second baseman in 2025 after the former first-rounder hit .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 31 steals in 151 games in 2024 in his sixth big-league season. He's not flashy by any means and doesn't have much power, but he's consistent, puts the ball in play and has averaged 31 steals the last three years.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) will not make the trip to Japan with the team to open the 2025 season on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Hoerner is still recovering from flexor-tendon surgery on his right forearm last October and will stay back in Arizona to continue his rehab. The 27-year-old has been hitting in the batting cages at camp and is doing a throwing program, but he hasn't made his Cactus League debut as the team plays it safe with him early in spring training. Barring a setback, Hoerner still has a good shot being ready for the March 27 game against the Arizona Diamondback. With Hoerner out for the two-game series against the Cubs in Japan, the most likely options to fill in at the keystone for that two-game series are Vidal Brujan and Jon Berti.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that infielder Nico Hoerner (elbow) is "in a great spot" in his recovery from flexor-tendon surgery last October. The Cubs aren't putting a timetable on Hoerner's return, but Counsell also said, "He's not gonna miss much (time), if at all. That's what I'd say. I'm confident in that. The news has been all good so far and that's really encouraging." The 27-year-old has been throwing and hitting with the official start of spring training right around the corner. The Cubs almost certainly will hold Hoerner back from playing in Cactus League games right away, but barring a setback this spring, he should have a shot to be ready for Opening Day in late March. While Hoerner has averaged 31 steals over the last three years and makes elite contact, he lacks power and had a career-low 27.7% hard-hit rate in 2024. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 25 fantasy second baseman.
According to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) remains uncertain for Opening Day. Montemurro noted that the second baseman had not started a throwing program yet and did not have an answer regarding his availability for the start of the season when asked. Hoerner was battling a flex tendon injury throughout the 2024 season and underwent surgery to repair this in October. Last season, the 27-year-old made 151 starts and posted a .273/.335/.373 line with seven home runs and 31 stolen bases. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 10.3% K rate but had minimal power upside as he generated an underwhelming 27.6% hard-hit rate. When healthy, Hoerner will be deployed as the clear top option at the keystone for the Cubs.
Cubs Unlikely To Seek Trade Partner For Nico Hoerner
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are less likely to seek a trade partner for second baseman Nico Hoerner. Rosenthal noted that the Cubs needed to move an infielder to create a path for their top prospect, Matt Shaw, and that was accomplished by including Isaac Parades in the package to bring in Kyle Tucker. With Parades out of the lineup, the Cubs will likely prefer to keep Hoerner for the time being. Last season, the 27-year-old held a .273/.335/.373 line with seven home runs and 31 stolen bases. Hoerner opened the season as the leadoff hitter but was eventually pushed down to the bottom half of the lineup. Hoerner also underwent flexor tendon surgery in October but was not given a definite timeline and could miss some time early on. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Spring Training. If he returns to his spot at the top of the order, Hoerner does have a path to being a reliable top-12 second baseman in category formats, given his elite speed and batting average. He could also be in line to tally a career-high in runs batting in front of Kyle Tucker.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) underwent right flexor-tendon surgery on Oct. 11, the team announced on Monday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, and there is no timetable for Hoerner's return, although he should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, barring a setback. The 27-year-old was Chicago's starting second baseman all year in 2024 in his sixth season in the big leagues. In a career-high 151 games played, Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with a .708 OPS, seven home runs, 48 RBI, 31 stolen bases and 86 runs scored in his 641 plate appearances. He makes plenty of contact, but it's inconsistent hard contact with little power. As long as Hoerner is healthy in 2025, he'll be a solid source of average, steals and runs scored for fantasy managers.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI in Wednesday's 13-4 win over the Reds. He also swiped his 17th bag of the season, the third stolen base in his last four games. After stealing 43 bases in 2023, the 27-year-old is on pace for just 27 this year, which has clearly been a disappointment. The gold-glover has a tidy little four-game hit streak going though, so perhaps if he can start getting on base more, then the steals will follow. Nevertheless, you'll continue to start him in season-long fantasy leagues, and he'll bring a .252-4-34-52-17 line into his next contest.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner put together a solid three-hit performance during Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Hoerner kicked off the scoring with a two-run blast off right-hander Jordan Hicks in the third inning to give Chicago a 2-0 lead. The 27-year-old went 3-for-5 at the plate with a homer and a stolen base in the win. Hoerner is off to a slow start to the season but the hand injury could've contributed to that. We'll see if he can turn it around in the second half.
Nico Hoerner Diagnosed With Small Fracture In Hand
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner has been diagnosed with a small fracture in his hand according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell. Doctors have noted that they are comfortable with him playing if the pain and swelling subsides. The Cubs will make a decision in the coming days about whether or not the 27-year-old should hit the IL. As of now Hoerner should be considered day-to-day. Hoerner has hit for a league average 100 OPS+ in 2024, though his bat has been rather cold since May. Fantasy managers looking for a short term replacement for Hoerner should target David Bote, who has now started at second base for the Cubs two games in a row.
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