Schwarber activated to Cubs 40-man roster |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today activated catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber from the 60-day disabled list to allow him to join the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. Schwarber is expected to be the designated hitter tonight for the club in its game against the Salt River Rafters at Sloan Park.
To make room for Schwarber on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto was designated for assignment. Schwarber was placed on the disabled list on April 8 with torn ligaments in his left knee (ACL and MCL) and a severely sprained left ankle suffered in an outfield collision during the second inning the night before at the Arizona Diamondbacks. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery on April 19 in Dallas, performed by Dallas Cowboys head team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper. Schwarber was hitless in four big league at-bats this year prior to his injury. The 23-year-old Schwarber made his major league debut with the Cubs last season and batted .246 (57-for-232) with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 69 games. He hit five post-season home runs to set the all-time franchise record. Schwarber was Chicago’s first round pick of the 2014 Draft (fourth overall) out of Indiana University. Soto, 25, went 1-3 with a 5.14 ERA (28 ER/49.0 IP) in 33 relief appearances with Iowa this season. He was claimed off of waivers from Cleveland on April 11.