The Chicago Cubs have been playing without Dansby Swanson for about a month as he deals with an oblique injury.
However, the star shortstop is nearing a return, and could be back against his former team, the Atlanta Braves, next week, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
"One note on the Cubs side: Dansby Swanson (oblique) should be back next week against the Braves," Rogers wrote on X.
"That could be a rehab stint first for Swanson (by the way)," Rogers added on X. "Then big league games over final week or so of reg season."
The Cubs have one of the best defenses of all-time this season and have not lost much defensively with Swanson out. Nico Hoerner has slotted in at shortstop, but with Swanson back, the Cubs' elite defense will be whole again. Hoerner will slide back over to second base.
Offensively, Swanson was struggling this year, but the Cubs would love to have him back regardless. He is a veteran who has a ton of postseason experience and has even won a World Series. Swanson is hitting .216 with a .704 OPS this season, but he was starting to get hot before his injury.
In his last 12 games, Swanson had a .278/.409/.528 slash line and two home runs. The Cubs will be hoping he can pick up right where he left off. The series against the Braves starts on Monday, and the regular season ends less than two weeks later.