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Kyle Schwarber has missed the last six games for the Cubs and has only started one of the last 10, after tweaking his back sliding into third base against the Brewers on Sept. 5. He won’t playing in the next three games either because the Cubs decided to keep him back in Chicago, as the team starts a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It’s a smart move by the Cubs, who are playing it safe with Schwarber. Plus, the Diamondbacks are starting two lefties this series, so it’s not like Schwarber would be getting much playing time anyway.
Schwarber will stay back while the team heads to Arizona. Avoids a couple lefties and a plane ride to keep his back good.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) September 16, 2018
So, Schwarber gets four more days off and should return Friday against the White Sox. Because the game is at Guaranteed Rate Field, the Cubs will have a DH, so Schwarber should be back in the lineup.
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The Cubs have also activated Jason Heyward from the disabled list on Sunday. He also won’t be starting in the outfield right away, but he is with the team in Arizona, where Joe Maddon will look to bring in Heyward late in games for defense to help him ease back in.
Heyward last played on Aug. 30, against the Braves. That’s when suffered a hamstring injury, trying to make a diving catch in the outfield.
The final injury update is on Brandon Morrow.
Morrow had a few bullpen sessions this past week and on Saturday he pitched a simulated inning at Wrigley Field. Morrow’s been out since the middle of July, but it sounds like he could finally be available this week.
No Schwarber on trip to ARI. Morrow feels good after sim game still and Maddon said Cubs will "keep moving it along" with Morrow. He could be available out of 'pen in Arizona.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) September 16, 2018
Oh and hopefully Tommy La Stella’s back tightness isn’t serious. He was in the original Cubs’ lineup Sunday, starting at third base, but was scratched a couple hours before first pitch.
Despite Sunday’s 2-1 loss, the Cubs remain atop the division with a 2.5 game lead over the Brewers. The Cubs have 13 games left in the regular season and their current magic number to clinch the division is at 11. The Brewers have 12 games left on their schedule.
