Chicago Cubs May Have Kyle Schwarber DH in World Series
By Nick Fustor
Despite missing nearly the entire season with a knee injury, Chicago Cubs catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber could return for the World Series.
Chicago Cubs outfielder and catcher Kyle Schwarber will be with the team for the World Series, and could start as the designated hitter in Game 1 on Tuesday, as reported by Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
Schwarber tore his ACL and LCL in just the third game of the season, but has progressed quickly in his rehab and played well recently in limited Arizona Fall League action. The 23-year-old went 1-for-3 with a run scored in his second AFL game on Monday, and is now expected to be added to the Cubs’ playoff roster. The full roster will be announced on Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET, however.
Schwarber figured to be a big factor in the Cubs lineup this season after hitting 16 homers with a .842 OPS in 69 games in his rookie year. While Schwarber wasn’t expected to appear at catcher this season and plays below average defense in left field, his impact at the plate was enough to make up for any defensive lapses.
Muskat noted that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein was in the visitor’s clubhouse at Progressive Field to watch Schwarber’s first two at-bats via a live feed from Mesa, Arizona.
"“He ran the bases before the game really well, slid, dove back in, went first to third, second to home,” Epstein said Monday via Muskat. “He looked really good. He’s running pretty well. He’s saving his hits, apparently, because he keeps hitting the balls at guys.”"
Schwarber was robbed of hits in his first two at-bats during Monday’s game, and went 0-for-3 in his first AFL game on Saturday. However, Schwarber looked solid at the plate and seemed to be running well – but the Cubs front office will check with trainers in Arizona to ensure he’s ready to fully return to action.
If he does indeed return for the World Series, Schwarber would be familiar with the stadium. Last season, Schwarber debuted in Cleveland on June 16, 2015, and then went 6-for-9 with a home run and four RBIs.
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In last year’s postseason, Schwarber thrived, as he went 9-for-27 with five home runs. Naturally, he seems like the perfect addition to the roster. But adding him to the roster likely means either Jorge Soler or Chris Coghlan will be removed from the roster. However, neither has seen much action in the postseason and may be left off in order to carry another pitcher. Muskat noted that the Cubs carried just 12 pitchers in the NLCS, so the question remains if they want an extra pitcher or extra bat.
Some members of the Cubs front office have expressed concern over bringing Schwarber back before he’s ready.
"“If anything, a lot of young, talented guys, you worry about them feeling like Superman,” said Jason McLeod, the Cubs director of scouting and player development, via Muskat. “This was a very serious injury he’s coming back from. I had questions about the running, the cutting, sliding the bases, turning on the back leg. We’ve watched all of his [at-bats], and health-wise he looks good, which is the thing I was most concerned with."
Cubs players like Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo expressed their desire to have Schwarber back with the team to Muskat, so his return could also be yet another boost in morale for the already elated roster.
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Regardless if Schwarber returns, the Chicago Cubs have an impressive roster across the field. Schwarber, however, could be the cherry on top of a near-perfect Cubs lineup.