Dansby Swanson is an early contender for Husband of the Year.
Swanson has been off to a hot start with the Cubs, batting .400 through 10 games with his new squad. Cubs fans had a small scare on Tuesday, when he removed himself from Chicago's matchup vs. Seattle in the sixth inning after going 4-for-4 to start the game.
Swanson said he was dealing with cramping and tightness in his left side, and there's a good and somewhat sad reason for it: U.S. soccer forward Mallory Swanson (nee Pugh), the Cubs shortstop's wife, underwent surgery to repair a torn patella tendon in her left knee early Tuesday morning.
MORE: Why pitch clock, faster games have teams adjusting beer sales rules
Swanson accompanied his wife to the hospital to have the procedure done, getting "limited sleep and fluids" in recent days, leading to his self-removal from the game.
"My body was just kind of done," Swanson said on Tuesday.
Mallory Swanson was set to take the pitch with the USWNT this summer in the women's World Cup, but she hurt her knee Saturday in a friendly against Ireland and will likely be out of action until October or later.
MORE: Timeline for USWNT star Mallory Swanson to return after injury
"I think everybody knows it's a pretty tough and heartbreaking situation just for her. I'm heartbroken for her. Just a lot of tears and sadness," Swanson said.
At least Tuesday's surgery was a success, as announced by Mallory Swanson on Instagram:
After missing big chunks of his early career with various injuries, Dansby Swanson has been something something of an ironman the last two seasons for the Braves: He played in 162 games in 2022, and 160 games in 2021, so the removal Tuesday came as a bit of a surprise.
Swanson will not start Wednesday's game against the Mariners, and with the Cubs off Thursday he'll be able to get a good breather.
Dansby Swanson said he expects to be back in Cubs’ lineup on Friday. Day game after night game, plus off-day Thursday, felt it was smart thing to do to take the day today.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 12, 2023
He isn't expected to miss more time, but if he does, it's definitely for a good reason.