Kyle Schwarber appears likely to be included on Cubs' World Series roster
by Mark Gonzales
Barring a setback, it appears Kyle Schwarber's improbable return from left knee surgery will be complete when he is added Tuesday to the Cubs' World Seriesroster.
Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk for Mesa in his second Arizona Fall League game Monday and was expected to join the Cubs in Cleveland. A scout who watched Schwarber said he took very good swings and slid into second on his double without issue.
"He's been doing everything," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's swinging the bat well. He's running very well. He's done some sliding drills, all that kind of stuff just to test the whole thing out."
Schwarber, 23, tore two ligaments April 7 and wasn't expected to be ready until spring training. He received medical clearance last week during his six-month checkup.
The Cubs have until 10 a.m. Tuesday to finalize their roster. Schwarber is likely to be the designated hitter in Games 1 and 2 and handle pinch-hitting duties when the series shifts to Wrigley Field for Games 3, 4 and 5.
The Cubs must be careful because they cannot replace Schwarber on the roster if he suffers a setback.
If he is added, an outfielder is likely to be left off the roster. That could be Jorge Soler or Schwarber's fellow left-handed hitter Chris Coghlan, who was extremely supportive of Schwarber's efforts.
"I don't know what the risk is for the reward, but go for it," Coghlan said. "But if you can't do it, surely they wouldn't put him out there.
"You see him every day and he's been such a great cheerleader, and I mean that as a positive thing. He's there for the boys and working hard. I don't know where he's at or if he's jumped the gun. And even if he can't make it back, it's cool that he would give it a try.
"This is epic. I told somebody, to be part of something so big — in this World Series, for this organization, this city — it's bigger than any one of us."
Making history: Center fielder Dexter Fowler hopes his distinction of being the first African-American to play for the Cubs in a World Series will raise awareness and hope for others.
"You always hope so," Fowler said. "The African-American community, we're definitely a minority in baseball. Being the first African-American to take (a World Series) at-bat in a Cubs uniform definitely is special to me."
Fowler is aware the percentage of African-Americans in major-league baseball has dipped by nearly 11 percent since 1975 to 8.3 percent.
"But we're trying to turn that around a little bit," he said.
Extra innings: Jake Arrieta will start Game 2 for the Cubs, followed by Kyle Hendricks. ... Former Indians greats Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga will throw the ceremonial first pitches for Games 1 and 2.
chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-schwarber-world-series-roster-bits-spt-1025-20161024-story.html
Go Hoosiers!
by Mark Gonzales
Barring a setback, it appears Kyle Schwarber's improbable return from left knee surgery will be complete when he is added Tuesday to the Cubs' World Seriesroster.
Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk for Mesa in his second Arizona Fall League game Monday and was expected to join the Cubs in Cleveland. A scout who watched Schwarber said he took very good swings and slid into second on his double without issue.
"He's been doing everything," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's swinging the bat well. He's running very well. He's done some sliding drills, all that kind of stuff just to test the whole thing out."
Schwarber, 23, tore two ligaments April 7 and wasn't expected to be ready until spring training. He received medical clearance last week during his six-month checkup.
The Cubs have until 10 a.m. Tuesday to finalize their roster. Schwarber is likely to be the designated hitter in Games 1 and 2 and handle pinch-hitting duties when the series shifts to Wrigley Field for Games 3, 4 and 5.
The Cubs must be careful because they cannot replace Schwarber on the roster if he suffers a setback.
If he is added, an outfielder is likely to be left off the roster. That could be Jorge Soler or Schwarber's fellow left-handed hitter Chris Coghlan, who was extremely supportive of Schwarber's efforts.
"I don't know what the risk is for the reward, but go for it," Coghlan said. "But if you can't do it, surely they wouldn't put him out there.
"You see him every day and he's been such a great cheerleader, and I mean that as a positive thing. He's there for the boys and working hard. I don't know where he's at or if he's jumped the gun. And even if he can't make it back, it's cool that he would give it a try.
"This is epic. I told somebody, to be part of something so big — in this World Series, for this organization, this city — it's bigger than any one of us."
Making history: Center fielder Dexter Fowler hopes his distinction of being the first African-American to play for the Cubs in a World Series will raise awareness and hope for others.
"You always hope so," Fowler said. "The African-American community, we're definitely a minority in baseball. Being the first African-American to take (a World Series) at-bat in a Cubs uniform definitely is special to me."
Fowler is aware the percentage of African-Americans in major-league baseball has dipped by nearly 11 percent since 1975 to 8.3 percent.
"But we're trying to turn that around a little bit," he said.
Extra innings: Jake Arrieta will start Game 2 for the Cubs, followed by Kyle Hendricks. ... Former Indians greats Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga will throw the ceremonial first pitches for Games 1 and 2.
chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-schwarber-world-series-roster-bits-spt-1025-20161024-story.html
Go Hoosiers!
