MESA, Ariz. – In a rare quiet moment Friday afternoon, Seiya Suzuki lounged in the grass by Sloan Park’s third baseline, stretching with his new outfield teammates Jason Heyward, Ian Happ and Michael Hermosillo. Suzuki’s interpreter, Toy Matsushita, stood next to them, helping facilitate conversation.
Suzuki had just put on a show in his first Cubs batting practice, spraying home runs onto the empty berms beyond the wall. Next on the schedule was live pitching. In preparation, the team cleared the field of the droves of media members who had been following Suzuki around all day.
Suzuki and his teammates had time to just talk.