Cubs expect to activate OF Seiya Suzuki on Friday

The Chicago Cubs are expected to activate outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the injured list Friday in advance of a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Suzuki has not played for the Cubs this season because of a sprained knee ligament that happened as he played for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

In three rehab games with Double-A Knoxville so far, Suzuki is 3-for-8 with a walk and an RBI.

"We're probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here," Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters. "He didn't get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It's just making sure he's ready to go offensively."

Suzuki has played 10 innings over two games in right field during his time with Knoxville, with the Cubs intent on getting him more time on defense this week.

Suzuki, 31, had his most productive season with the Cubs last year when he hit 32 home runs with 103 RBIs. Over four seasons in Chicago, Suzuki has batted .269 with an .818 OPS, 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games.

--Field Level Media