SAN FRANCISCO — Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki was out of the lineup for the second consecutive day Sunday, but the ailment responsible for his absence was as unclear as ever.
‘‘He’s got some soreness in some areas and is feeling a little bit under the weather, so we’ll give him one more day,’’ manager David Ross said before the Cubs’ series finale against the Giants. ‘‘He’s got some things that I feel like giving him another day, with the off day [Monday], made a lot of sense.’’
When pressed, Ross said: ‘‘He’s not feeling 100%. Let me just say that as a whole, all right. He’s not injured.’’
Suzuki also declined to disclose specifics.
‘‘I’m just trying to prevent worst-case scenarios from happening,’’ he said through an interpreter. ‘‘So I’m just being very cautious right now. . . . Nothing serious. Nothing to worry about.’’
Asked whether he thought he would be back Tuesday, when the Cubs open a three-game series against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, Suzuki said that was his goal.
‘‘But it’s also up to Rossy on what he feels is best,’’ he said.
Would Ross be surprised if Suzuki wasn’t in the lineup Tuesday?
‘‘I’m never surprised if guys are dealing with things,’’ Ross said. ‘‘We’re hopeful.’’
Suzuki had five hits, including two doubles, in his last two games before being sidelined. Asked whether it was frustrating to have something pop up when he had begun to trend upward offensively, Suzuki said, ‘‘Of course.’’
Trying something new
Ross shuffled the batting order in San Francisco. Dansby Swanson, who has hit second for most of the season, hit in the No. 5 spot all series. With Nico Hoerner coming off the bench Friday, Nick Madrigal led off. On Saturday and Sunday, Mike Tauchman led off and Hoerner hit second. With Suzuki out Saturday and Sunday, Christopher Morel hit third.
‘‘We’ve had some consistency in the order for a little bit, and it didn’t pan out,’’ Ross said. ‘‘So with different guys in the lineup, trying to find what that secret formula is.’’
The Giants, short on starting pitching, also threw bullpen games Saturday and Sunday. That informed Ross’ decisions.
‘‘Some of that has to do with just a balance and so there’s no real pockets,’’ Ross said of the lineup Saturday, which spread out the Cubs’ left-handed batters. ‘‘Try to avoid some pockets of where they might match up, as well, and also where I can combat some of those pockets.
‘‘We have a couple of platoon pieces and areas where we’ve flipped guys out. That is a factor for me that I take in every series, not just when it’s an opener.’’
Injury update
First baseman/designated hitter Edwin Rios (strained left groin) progressed to running the bases Sunday. He’s expected to begin a rehab assignment as the next step in his recovery.
