Kyle Schwarber not medically cleared to play field as World Series moves to Wrigley

The Cubs will have one less dangerous bat in their lineup when the World Series shifts to Wrigley Field on Friday for Game 3, because Kyle Schwarber was not medically cleared to play the field and thus, won’t be in the starting lineup.

Schwarber, whose amazing return from injury and subsequent success, has become the biggest individual story of this World Series. After a Game 2 performance in which he had two hits and two RBIs against the Cleveland Indians as the Cubs’ designated hitter, Chicago was clamoring to see whether Schwarber would defy the odds again and get the OK from doctors to allow his surgically reconstructed knee to patrol the outfield.

“Just too much risk associated with playing the field at this time,” said Cubs president Theo Epstein. “We have to look out for Kyle’s long-term interests.”

The decision was made before batting practice Thursday, after a phone call with the doctors who repaired Schwarber’s knee after he tore both his ACL and MCL in an outfield collision in April.

Schwarber still took batting practice, since he has the green light to pinch hit in Chicago, but that’s all he’ll be able to do for the Games 3-5.

“It’s not disappointing at all,” said Schwarber, 23. “It was a long shot at the most. Facts are facts. I just couldn’t physically do it.”

Kyle Schwarber took it easy on his knee in the outfield during batting practice Thursday. (AP)

After his surgery, eight months was the “best-case scenario” or Schwarber’s return. He was back as a World Series DH in six.

“I know my role,” Schwarber said. “And now I’m going to embrace it.”

In the hours before the decision was announced, Thursday’s workout day became All Eyes on Schwarber. Cameras circled around the path from the Cubs clubhouse to the field, waiting for Schwarber to arrive.

When he brought a glove with him to the field, the assembled media started to wonder if that meant he’d gotten the OK. Cubs manager Joe Maddon had said prior to BP — before he knew a decision — that if Schwarber was spotted shagging flies, that probably meant he was cleared.

So when Schwarber walked out to the outfield after hitting, suspicion was piqued even more. But he didn’t do many drills or catch many balls. He mostly talked. Shortly after Schwarber came off the field, Epstein announced the decision.

“We do look forward to him impacting the game as a pinch hitter for us,” Epstein said.

And while one at-bat doesn’t offer as much impact as three or four, we know by now that Schwarber can come off the bench and make a difference. He’s already come back from a six-month break, right into the World Series and wowed the baseball world.