CHICAGO — “I’ve been up since 4 a.m.,” Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said late Tuesday night inside the Wrigley Field clubhouse, explaining why he removed himself from a 4-for-4 game and how he felt physically tired and emotionally drained after everything that happened to his wife Mallory Swanson, a key player on the U.S. women’s national soccer team.
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Dansby Swanson woke up early in Chicago that morning to take Mallory Swanson to a local hospital for surgery to repair the torn patella tendon in her left knee, a devastating injury she suffered during Saturday’s exhibition against Ireland, which was supposed to prepare her for the Women’s World Cup this summer.
The Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract last winter, in part because of his winning pedigree and long track record of durability. Swanson chose Chicago, in part, because his wife was already an established professional athlete in the city with the NWSL’s Red Stars.
Swanson helped the Cubs erase an early seven-run deficit against the Mariners and then signaled to the dugout before the start of the sixth inning. The team initially described Swanson’s issue as “lower left side tightness.” Cubs manager David Ross then clarified it as “cramping” while briefing the media after a 14-9 comeback victory.
“Realistically, I felt like my body was just kind of done,” Swanson said. “I felt like doing anything more probably would have put me in harm’s way. The night was over for me. Pretty simple, probably haven’t eaten or slept or drank enough water over the past few days. I already started getting a lot of fluids in me and taking care of myself.”
Swanson has made a great impression during his first 10 games with the Cubs, hitting .400, flashing Gold Glove defense and leading the team to a 6-4 start that should spark some optimism in Wrigleyville. But this isn’t how he imagined it for Mallory Swanson after their wedding in Georgia last December or during the honeymoon in the Dominican Republic where they decided on the Cubs.
“She’s all right,” Dansby Swanson said. “Everybody knows it’s a pretty tough and heartbreaking situation. I’m heartbroken for her, just a lot of tears and sadness. Two things can be true at the same time: We can be sad and upset, but we can also understand God’s bigger picture and plans. We’ll get through it together.”
(Photo of Mallory and Dansby Swanson on Opening Day: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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