Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson could be back in the team's lineup in a week, manager Craig Counsell said Friday before Chicago's game with Pittsburgh.
Swanson, a two-time All-Star, went on the injured list on Aug. 17 with a left oblique strain after taking an awkward swing on the previous day. He had been expected to miss four weeks.
Counsell said Swanson's rehab has been progressing smoothly and that the 32-year-old infielder would continue working with the Cubs at Wrigley Field during their weekend series against the Pirates.
Barring a setback, Swanson would join Triple-A Iowa for rehab games on Tuesday and Wednesday before being activated Friday in Cincinnati, Counsell said.
Swanson is hitting .216 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 119 games. He has played at shortstop in 117 games this season and has a .987 fielding percentage. Nico Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove winner at second base, has moved to shortstop with Swanson sidelined.
