Cubs' Dansby Swanson out four to six weeks with oblique strain

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson has a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss four to six weeks, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The injury timeline could mean Swanson misses the rest of the regular season.

Swanson left Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Cardinals because of left side discomfort after an awkward swing-and-miss in the bottom of the third inning. Manager Craig Counsell said after the game that Swanson would be put on the injured list.

Swanson is an annual Gold Glove contender, having won the award in 2022 and 2023. Before exiting Sunday's game, he was hitting .216 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs while batting lower in the lineup.

Nico Hoerner, who moved over to shortstop from second base following Swanson's injury, likely will continue playing shortstop in Swanson's absence, with rookie Pedro Ramirez manning second base.

The Cubs are 72-53 and trail the Brewers by five games in the NL Central prior to Monday's games, but have a firm hold on the top NL wild-card spot.