"Craig Counsell said this week that Chicago Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long's recovery from the left elbow strain is going a little more slowly than everyone would like, and suggested that Long's participation in the World Baseball Classic for Team Chinese-Taipei could be in jeopardy."
"If true, that would really suck for Long, who was going to get to experience something very rare and special. It's valuable for development purposes to participate in a high-level international competition like that, but it's also just valuable at a human level."
"He raked at Triple-A last year, and the Cubs started getting him some corner outfield exposure to add to his ability to play first base. He's a bat-mostly guy, but even in that case, it's not hard to see a scenario where Moises Ballesteros struggles or Michael Busch gets hurt or a couple outfielders get hurt, and suddenly you're looking at Long getting a real shot in the big leagues."
Jonathon Long, a Cubs first base prospect, has withdrawn from the 2026 World Baseball Classic representing Team Chinese-Taipei due to a left elbow strain. Manager Craig Counsell indicated the recovery is progressing more slowly than anticipated, raising concerns about Long's participation. The injury forced Long to miss the international competition, which represents both a developmental opportunity and a significant personal experience for the player. Despite this setback, Long remains potentially valuable to the Cubs organization after strong Triple-A performance last season. The team is prioritizing his recovery, as he could receive major league opportunities if injuries occur to other roster players.
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