Cubs adjust Dansby Swanson’s rehab plan, keep him on track to return Friday

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson racked up the air miles for a rehab assignment that never happened.

For the last step in his recovery from a strained left oblique, Swanson flew to Omaha on Monday to play in Triple-A Iowa’s game Tuesday. It got rained out, and the game Wednesday appeared to be in jeopardy.

Swanson returned to Chicago on Tuesday night, and the Cubs organized a simulated game for him Wednesday at Wrigley Field. He totaled six at-bats against two prospects, right-hander Gavin Hollowell and lefty Riley Martin, who were flown in because their rehab outings also were washed out in Omaha. Swanson also played in the field.

He came out of it all just fine. Swanson will have one more workout Thursday at Wrigley before the Cubs leave for Cincinnati. They expect to activate him from the injured list Friday for the opener of the three-game series.

“I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted everything that happened,” Swanson said. “It’s one of those scenarios where we have to make the next-best decision we can. They were really thoughtful about the ways they wanted to go about it to get me as prepared as possible to be able to play.

“I feel good. I was able to do everything today with no issues.”

Swanson suffered the injury Aug. 16 on a swing. He had never strained an oblique before.

“With any oblique thing, it’s always around your ribs,” he said. “It was pretty painful in the beginning. Over the course of time, it gets healed up; then you start to feel better. You just stick to the progressions. Whatever they put in front of me I went at as best and as hard as I could.”

Swanson said he got stir-crazy during his recovery, adding that he understood why manager Craig Counsell is always moving in the dugout during games.

“I don’t really like to sit down. I’m always on the move,” he said. “Watching is a lot harder than playing.

“Honestly, I missed competing. Competing and being a part of something is so much fun. I feel like that’s why I always go into coach mode, still really be invested in the guys and helping anyone as best as I can.”

Swanson’s return will put back together the Cubs’ best infield alignment, with Nico Hoerner returning to second base. It also likely puts impressive rookie Pedro Ramirez on the bench.