Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs News: Schwarber: "You got to respect the doctor's opinion"


by - Senior Editor -

The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday evening that star slugger Kyle Schwarber has not been cleared by the doctors to play outfield for the 2016 World Series. He has been ruled out of the lineup for the next three games. He will still be available to DH in potential Game 6 and Game 7.

Schwarber was obviously disappointed but in good spirits after hearing the news that he was not cleared by the team doctor. He tried to persuade management but eventually understood everyone is looking out for him.

"Facts are facts," Schwarber said during Thursday's press conference. "You got to respect the doctor's opinion. It was a small chance that I'd be here at all, so I'm just going to soak it in and embrace it."

"Obviously, I want to be out there with my teammates, but facts are facts," he said to reporters. "I just can't physically do it."

The doctors said there is too much risk with "dynamic actions" involved in playing defense in the outfield according to Theo Epstein.

"We have to look out for Kyle's best interests," Epstein said. "We're all disappointed but trust doctor's judgment."

In 2015, Schwarber hit .246 with 16 home runs, 43 RBIs with an excellent .842 OPS in only 69 games (273 at-bats) in his rookie season. In nine career postseason games, he hit .333 with five homers in only nine games.

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