Why seeing Suzuki’s final Smokies game before Cubs return won't be easy

Why seeing Suzuki’s final Smokies game before Cubs return won't be easy

The Smokies have a Major League Baseball star on their Double‑A roster, but Knoxville’s chances to see him at Covenant Health Park are limited − especially for fans who don’t work downtown.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki started his 2026 season with the Smokies for the club's home opener April 3. Suzuki, who appeared with the Cubs in spring training, is rehabbing a knee injury sustained in March while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Suzuki started every game in the opening series against the Birmingham Barons, which the Smokies dropped 1-2. And he was back at the downtown Knoxville stadium April 7 for the first of six games against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (6) in the Knoxville Smokies’ dugout during the Minor League Baseball game against the Birmingham Barons April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) signs autographs for fans before the start of the Knoxville Smokies and the Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) high-fives teammates during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) hits the ball during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) at right field for the Knoxville Smokies’ Minor League Baseball game against the Birmingham Barons on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) talks with Birmingham Barons catcher Calvin Harris (20) during a Minor League Baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies Birmingham Barons on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) jogs around the bases after Knoxville Smokies infielder Jefferson Rojas (2) hits a three run home run during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki run towards first base during the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) returns to the dugout after being force out at first base during the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1 / 9

Knoxville Smokies host Birmginham Barons on Easter Sunday

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (6) in the Knoxville Smokies’ dugout during the Minor League Baseball game against the Birmingham Barons April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1 / 9

Knoxville Smokies host Birmginham Barons on Easter Sunday

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (6) in the Knoxville Smokies’ dugout during the Minor League Baseball game against the Birmingham Barons April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

2 / 9

Knoxville Smokies host Birmginham Barons on Easter Sunday

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) signs autographs for fans before the start of the Knoxville Smokies and the Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

3 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) high-fives teammates during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

4 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) hits the ball during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

5 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) at right field for the Knoxville Smokies’ Minor League Baseball game against the Birmingham Barons on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

6 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) talks with Birmingham Barons catcher Calvin Harris (20) during a Minor League Baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies Birmingham Barons on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

7 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Knoxville Smokies outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) jogs around the bases after Knoxville Smokies infielder Jefferson Rojas (2) hits a three run home run during Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park against the Birmingham Barons on April 3, 2026.

8 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki run towards first base during the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

9 / 9

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki playing with Knoxville Smokies

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (6) returns to the dugout after being force out at first base during the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game on April 5, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Suzuki, who connected for three hits and scored three runs in the series opener, is scheduled to play one more game for the Smokies in Knoxville on April 8.

His final game is one of two on the Smokies' 2026 schedule with a 12:30 p.m. Wednesday start time. The other is scheduled for April 22.

"We want to introduce some day games this year and see how the business community responds," Smokies CEO Chris Allen told Knox News in in a text. "Cubs play a lot of day games, so let's give it a try."

Suzuki spent nearly a decade as a professional baseball player in Japan before he became available to MLB teams in 2022. He played in 111 games and finished the season with a .262 batting average, 14 home runs and 46 RBIs during his first year with the Cubs.

In the Smokies' opening series against Birmingham, Suzuki went three-for-eight at the plate, with one RBI and two runs scored.

Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Seeing Suzuki’s final Smokies game before Cubs return won't be easy