ESPN is reporting outfield slugger Kyle Schwarber will play Game 5 after missing the 2016 season due to an MCL tear in the third game of the season.
“I feel great,” Schwarber told CSNChicago. “Been rehabbing my knee hard and taking swings in the cage daily since September. I’m good to go whenever coach Maddon and the team needs me.”
Doctors said he was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and would easily sign off for his return to the field. Doctor Seinfeld told the Chicago Tribune, “He’s lucky he is only 23 years old, and he can bounce back from a major surgery like this so quickly. Just goes to show you how hard he’s been working.
The only concern is the rust he may have since not seeing live balls in 6 months, but with the Cubs struggling offense, they don’t have much to lose. Cubs President Theo Epstein said, “As long as we don’t risk him re-injuring his knee, we don’t have a problem with it. And if we make the World Series he can DH in half the games against the American League team. I’m very excited and could be the perfect shot in the arm the team needs right now. So yes, Kyle is a go for Game 5. Everyone is very excited.”
