Although he was never officially put on the disabled list thanks to rosters being expanded in September, you could pretty much characterize Kyle Schwarber as having gone on the DL as soon as he hit that monster bomb against the Brewers on September 5. Since then, thanks to a back issue, he’s made just one start (in a game he didn’t finish), and he hasn’t played at all since September 10.
That stretch is going to continue at least through this week’s series in Arizona, as Schwarber will not be with the team, according to Joe Maddon (Cubs.com). The hope is that, by avoiding the two long flights and resting up for four more days, Schwarber will be good to go on Friday against the White Sox. You’d certainly hope so, since the Cubs will get to use a DH for that weekend set.
Keep in mind, the Cubs are facing at least two lefties who are very tough on fellow lefties in this series – Patrick Corbin (for his career, anyway) and Robbie Ray – so Schwarber wouldn’t have been starting those games anyway. This feels like a good, safe decision.