Kyle Schwarber rejoining Cubs for World Series a real possibility
Kyle Schwarber rejoining Cubs for World Series a
real possibility
real possibility
In the Cubs'
season of historical significance, Kyle Schwarber is on the verge of
reaching a significant medical milestone.
season of historical significance, Kyle Schwarber is on the verge of
reaching a significant medical milestone.
Schwarber, 23, was cleared to play Saturday night for the
Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League — six months after undergoing surgery
to repair two ligament tears on his left knee. It's now possible he could join
the Cubs if they reach the World Series for the first time since 1945.
Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League — six months after undergoing surgery
to repair two ligament tears on his left knee. It's now possible he could join
the Cubs if they reach the World Series for the first time since 1945.
"We're not ruling anything in," President Theo Epstein said. "We're not
ruling anything out. We're not getting ahead of ourselves here. We have a lot
of work to do before he becomes pertinent on a short-term basis. But it's a
testament to how hard Kyle has worked to be in this position to how it's a
possibility. It's a credit to him and all the members of our staff who have
worked with him."
ruling anything out. We're not getting ahead of ourselves here. We have a lot
of work to do before he becomes pertinent on a short-term basis. But it's a
testament to how hard Kyle has worked to be in this position to how it's a
possibility. It's a credit to him and all the members of our staff who have
worked with him."
Schwarber, who hit 16 home runs in 69 games for the Cubs
during the regular season and five during the 2015 playoffs, will handle the
designated-hitter duties for Mesa — a job he could perform at Cleveland if he's
cleared to play and the Cubs advance to the Series.
during the regular season and five during the 2015 playoffs, will handle the
designated-hitter duties for Mesa — a job he could perform at Cleveland if he's
cleared to play and the Cubs advance to the Series.
Schwarber will wear a brace on his knee and won't play in
the field. He has been told to run the bases conservatively.
the field. He has been told to run the bases conservatively.
"It's awesome," manager Joe Maddon said. "I
didn't see it coming."
didn't see it coming."
Neither did anyone but Schwarber, who wasn't expected to be
cleared fully until the start of spring training after
suffering the injury April 7. But Schwarber showed remarkable improvement in
agility drills over the last 1 1/2 months after progressing from range of
motion and strengthening work.
cleared fully until the start of spring training after
suffering the injury April 7. But Schwarber showed remarkable improvement in
agility drills over the last 1 1/2 months after progressing from range of
motion and strengthening work.
Schwarber received clearance Monday to hit and run after a
six-month post-operation examination from Dr. Daniel Cooper, who performed the
surgery. Epstein was informed of the updates before Schwarber flew to Los
Angeles, where he hit Monday and Tuesday in the batting cage before flying to
Mesa on Wednesday for a recovery day and tracked pitches off a machine.
six-month post-operation examination from Dr. Daniel Cooper, who performed the
surgery. Epstein was informed of the updates before Schwarber flew to Los
Angeles, where he hit Monday and Tuesday in the batting cage before flying to
Mesa on Wednesday for a recovery day and tracked pitches off a machine.
Schwarber took batting practice on the field for the first
time on Thursday and tracked about 400 to 500 fastball and breaking pitches off
a machine.
time on Thursday and tracked about 400 to 500 fastball and breaking pitches off
a machine.
Schwarber looked impressive Friday in eight at-bats off
Double-A Tennessee pitcher James Farris, and then got clearance from Cooper to
play in the AFL, Epstein said.
Double-A Tennessee pitcher James Farris, and then got clearance from Cooper to
play in the AFL, Epstein said.
"Physically, he's on an accelerated time table,"
said Epstein, who said he didn't prod medical authorities to clear Schwarber.
"To a baseball standpoint, he's only got about a week or so to be ready,
but mentally he's been preparing for six months and has been advance scouting.
said Epstein, who said he didn't prod medical authorities to clear Schwarber.
"To a baseball standpoint, he's only got about a week or so to be ready,
but mentally he's been preparing for six months and has been advance scouting.
"He's been watching how pitchers attack hitters,
studying his own video, studying opposing video. Mentally he's been preparing
for a long time and been itching to contribute."
studying his own video, studying opposing video. Mentally he's been preparing
for a long time and been itching to contribute."
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