In case you were curious, Kyle Schwarber has won out in the vaunted EMERGENCY CATCHER battle over Javy Baez (probably).
It’s not actually a battle, because Schwarber, as a recently-converted catcher, is obviously the guy. But with Willson Contreras out for a month, Schwarber is taking the opportunity to try to snag a start:
Maddon confirmed Schwarber is Cubs' emergency catcher:
"Oh yeah. He was already talking to me yesterday about wanting to start a game back there."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) August 5, 2019
Maddon said he’ll pair Caratini with Darvish and Lester. He’ll get a day when one of the other 3 pitches. Says the front office is def looking to add catching via means possible. Schwarber is 3rd string and “asking to start” a game, per Joe.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 5, 2019
Let’s get crazy! Let’s do it!
In all seriousness, it really would take a multiple injury situation (or injury after one of the catchers is out of the game) for Schwarber to get time behind the plate. Soon, the Cubs will add another catcher, and it could be someone much less likely to even leave Joe Maddon mildly entertaining the possibility of giving Schwarber time behind the plate. So he better bust out the tire iron quickly if he wants a chance.