Kyle Schwarber Got Yanked for Misplaying that Triple, But I’m Sure There’s More To It

In the moment, I was pretty sure Kyle Schwarber was injured.

Absent any other context, it wouldn’t make sense to pull Schwarber so early in a game the Cubs were trailing if he wasn’t dealing with some kind of injury or illness. Surely he didn’t get yanked solely because he slightly misplayed a ball off the wall, and then slightly slow-played his jog to retrieve it, right?

Except he did get yanked for that. So now we have to figure out the context.

Although manager David Ross refused to get into particulars after the game – “I’d like to keep it in house. That’s between me and Schwarbs.” – Schwarber was there to answer questions after he was pulled, and then remained on the bench to cheer on his team.

“The guy shouldn’t have got to third base there,” Schwarber said after the game, per Cubs.com. “I put Yu in a tough spot. I put him in a bad spot. I put the team in a bad spot there. And I guess you’ve got to learn from it and move on. I think, obviously, it’s not the ideal way to learn from it. But you know what? I think that I can take a lot of different punches …. I pride myself on myself being a team guy. And a guy who’s going to play this game 120 percent every play. I think my teammates understand that, and I think Rossy understands that as well. I’m not going to be that guy who’s going to be selfish. There’s still a game going on. This is bigger than me.”

So the question is why would Schwarber get yanked for such a minor infraction in that moment, especially when he’s not a guy who is out there loafing on the regular? Well, I suspect there’s more to it than just one misplay, and I mean that in terms of everything: more going on with Schwarber, more going on with Ross, and more going on with the team.

Part of that suspicion is because it would otherwise feel like last night’s yank was a crazy overreaction from a manger who hasn’t otherwise given us reason to think he’s prone to that. But a bigger part of my suspicion comes from considering the broader season circumstances, in the context of Ross’s post-game comments.

Consider what Ross said after the game, when discussing Schwarber’s work ethic more generally: “He busts it every time out there. Just scuffling a little bit at the plate. In here, putting in the work, trying to get better like a lot of our offensive players. When you’re not hitting, it’s just tough. Baseball’s not a whole lot of fun when you’re scuffling a little bit.”

So, then, Schwarber is a guy who busts it all the time, and it’s not like benching him mid-game is designed to send him a message to work harder or stay more focused or whatever. Moreover, since this wasn’t some egregious offense by Schwarber that Ross wants to root out among all the players in the final week of the season, I think you can fairly presume it wasn’t about sending a message to the rest of the team.

Instead, based on Ross’s comments on the offensive side of things, and how it bleeds into the whole game, I wonder if Ross was simply taking an opportunity to try to spark Schwarber. Keep in mind, Ross and Schwarber have a long, close relationship going back five years now. Isn’t it possible that Ross knows Schwarber so well that he wanted to take this opportunity to give him a kick in the pants because Ross thinks that might have a chance of shaking something loose in Schwarber over the final week and into the postseason?

As we’ve discussed, Schwarber has quietly been really awful at the plate this month, and there’s only so much a manager can do to help “fix” a guy down the stretch. Maybe something had been building between the two for a while – no, not a problem, but just some gradual and unhelpful development that requires a sudden and dramatic moment to change a player’s thinking. Something as surprising and stark as yanking a dude in the 3rd inning.

Ross himself said that Schwarber is scuffling at the plate, but is putting in the work. Maybe Ross came to believe that putting in the work wasn’t enough to get Schwarber out of his funk? Maybe all the work – and lack of results from it – was actually starting to do more harm than good? Maybe Ross wanted to try something else that he felt would work for this player, specifically. Maybe Ross saw Schwarber fly out deep on a 2-0 pitch, and then immediately misplay that ball, and he thought now is the time to do something so Schwarber isn’t taking the at bats out there with him into the field.

We can’t know this stuff for sure, of course. We can only see the situation, see the quotes, extrapolate, and observe. Given the relationship between these two, and given what we know about Schwarber as a player and a teammate, I’m thinking all the above is probably in the ballpark of an explanation. I highly doubt this is reflective of any kind of ongoing issue beyond Ross simply wanting to do whatever he can to help Schwarber succeed. Sometimes, it looks like a guy getting yanked for misplaying a ball off the wall, but it’s actually a little deeper than that.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more cubs news