Cubs' Kyle Schwarber added to World Series roster, expected to DH in Game 1
The Cubs officially added rehabbing slugger Kyle Schwarber to their World Series roster on Tuesday.
The team is expected to use Schwarber as a designated hitter in the first game of the series, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Cubs dropped lefthanded reliever Rob Zastryzny from their playoff roster to make room for Schwarber.
Schwarber, who missed nearly the entire season after tearing two ligaments in his knee on April 7, flew to Cleveland to join the team after playing in an Arizona Fall League game on Monday. Manager Joe Maddon said on Monday the decision to add Schwarber to the roster would be based on his performance in that game.
Chicago will need someone to DH in the first two games of the series. Among the current candidates are rookie Willson Contreras and outfielder Jorge Soler, who has struggled this postseason.
• Quiz: What was the world like the last time the Cubs won the World Series?
“We're not ruling anything out or anything in at this point, and we're not going to get ahead of ourselves, either,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said on Monday, in regard to Schwarber’s possible return.
Schwarber went 0 for 3 with a walk on Saturday night while DHing in the Arizona Fall League. Game 1 of the World Series will take place on Tuesday night in Cleveland.
The Indians added starting pitcher Danny Salazar to their World Series roster and left off Cody Anderson.
– Kenny Ducey
