Cubs Remove Slumping Shortstop Dansby Swanson From Lineup

Cubs Manager Opts for Strategic Benching: Dansby Swanson Sits as Cubs Seek Offensive Spark

This blog post takes a closer look at the Chicago Cubs’ choice to bench starting shortstop Dansby Swanson. We’ll poke around at the reasons, the player’s recent struggles, and what this means for the team’s lineup as they try to shake off a rough patch.

Swanson’s Slump and the Manager’s Dilemma

The grind of a Major League Baseball season can be relentless. Even the most decorated players hit ruts.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell found himself in that exact spot with Dansby Swanson. Swanson, healthy and technically available, watched from the bench during Saturday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

That move definitely signals the Cubs are searching for answers to their offensive drought.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Swanson, a two-time Gold Glove winner, has been ice-cold at the plate. Heading into Saturday, he was batting just .180, which puts him near the bottom among regulars.

Digging into his last 14 games, it’s even rougher: only six hits in 46 at-bats, a bleak .130 average over that stretch. Counsell admitted he wanted to give Swanson a much-needed mental and physical reset.

He stressed this was a planned break, not because of any injury.

Swanson still shines on defense. His glove work is a steadying force for the Cubs.

In 60 games, he’s committed just four errors and owns a sharp .983 fielding percentage. The contrast between his struggles at the plate and his defensive dependability makes things tricky for the coaches.

Lineup Adjustments and the Team’s Broader Struggles

With Swanson out, the infield got a little shakeup. Nico Hoerner, also a two-time Gold Glover, slid from second base over to shortstop.

That left second base open for newcomer Pedro Ramirez. These changes show just how fluid things are right now—and maybe how desperate the Cubs are for some offense.

The Cubs entered Saturday’s game in a deep slump, having dropped 19 of their last 25 games. That kind of skid ramps up the pressure for Counsell and the front office to find a spark.

Maybe giving Swanson a breather will jolt something loose for the team. At this point, they could use any kind of turnaround.

Roster Moves and Pitching Reinforcements

The Cubs made another move, this time on the pitching side. They recalled right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa and optioned reliever Ethan Roberts.

Manager Counsell said Assad will work out of the bullpen, giving the relief corps another option. The team keeps tweaking the roster, always searching for the right mix to win games.

Assad now has a spot in the big league bullpen. Earlier this season, he put up a 3-1 record with a 5.88 ERA in eight appearances.

Roberts, before heading down, was pretty solid for the Cubs. He posted a 0-1 record with a 1.96 ERA in 14 relief outings.

These moves might look small, but they fit into a bigger plan to get the most out of the roster. Every little adjustment counts, even if it doesn’t always make headlines.

Swanson made a quick cameo in the 10th inning as a pinch-runner. His speed mattered—he scored the deciding run on an error, sealing the Cubs’ wild 3-2 victory.

Even a brief moment like that reminds you Swanson can make an impact, even if his bat’s quiet lately. Maybe it’s a sign his offense will turn around soon—who knows?

 
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