MESA, Ariz. — In a rare quiet moment Friday afternoon, Seiya Suzuki lounged in the grass by Sloan Park’s third-base line, stretching with 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 batting practice with the Cubs, 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.
