Chicago Cubs may get Kyle Schwarber back for World Series

Mar 29, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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There’s plenty of positive vibes surrounding the Chicago Cubs, and they will now reportedly get another promising young player back for the World Series.

The Chicago Cubs are obviously loaded with young talent all over the diamond, and a veteran-laden pitching staff has bolstered their run to the World Series. Things got off to a dismal start for one of the Cubs’ young players this year, as Kyle Schwarber suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee as well as a severely sprained ankle back on April 7. But he has recently returned to health, and may be ready to contribute now.

Schwarber was activated from the 60-day disabled list last Friday, and he was immediately sent to the Arizona Fall League to get some work in. Now, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, Schwarber will DH in Arizona on Monday and then join the Cubs in Cleveland in time for Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night.

It’s unclear if Schwarber will be on the Cubs’ World Series roster, but they have until Tuesday morning to make that decision and the option is clearly there. With a need for a designated hitter in Game 1 and Game 2, Schwarber could immediately be in Chicago’s lineup if he’s deemed fit to play.

Schwarber made his major league debut in 2015 and acquitted himself nicely offensively, with 16 home runs and 43 RBI over 232 regular season at-bats, while adding five home runs during the 2015 postseason. He fits well with the Cubs’ roster versatility, with 21 games at catcher and 43 games in the outfield last season, but his knee injury came in a outfield collision with Dexter Fowler and he’s clearly miscast as a left fielder right now.

Related Story: Will Kyle Schwarber return if the Cubs make the World Series?

Schwarber is unlikely to do anything other than DH and pinch-hit during the World Series, but he can still make a notable contribution. The Cubs probably don’t need any extra help for the Fall Classic, but they’re apparently about to get some.