Seiya Suzuki returned to the Chicago Cubs' spring training facility Monday after injuring his right knee during Japan's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal loss to Venezuela. The 31-year-old outfielder underwent an MRI exam, with manager Craig Counsell stating the team would wait for results before assessing the injury's severity.

Suzuki appeared to hurt his knee while sliding headfirst into second base during an attempted steal in the first inning Saturday night in Miami. He walked gingerly back to the dugout with a trainer and was replaced in center field after the inning. Monday in Arizona, Suzuki wore a soft brace on his right knee while being examined by a team doctor.

The injury comes as Suzuki enters the final season of his five-year, $85 million contract with the Cubs. Since joining Chicago, he has hit .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games, establishing himself as a key offensive contributor.