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Cubs announce Kyle Schwarber hasn't been cleared to play the outfield

The answer to that is no, it appears.

Cubs star Kyle Schwarber won't be in the starting lineup for the three World Series games this weekend after he was denied medical clearance to play the outfield following his return from knee surgery. Even at full strength, before he tore two ligaments in his knee, Schwarber was an ungainly fielder.

After waiting 71 years to witness a World Series game, Chicago Cubs fans can hardly contain themselves.

After a Game 1 where Cleveland's Corey Kluber shut down Chicago's offense, Game 2 was nearly a complete reversal, as Arrieta held Cleveland to one run on two hits and three walks over 5.2 innings pitched. That probably means we'll see him only as a pinch hitter at Wrigley, where the next three games will be held. And I wrote at the very bottom, "World Series" with a question mark just jokingly.

As the two teams get set to battle in Game 3, the Cubs are hoping that the home-field excellent of pitcher Kyle Hendricks will carry over. For one thing, doctors have not cleared him to play the field. But expectations soared after Cooper cleared him to run and hit when he was examined October 17 in Dallas and then produced so well in the first two games of the Series as a designated hitter in an American League park.

Epstein burst the bubble not long after by relaying the news that doctors had not cleared Schwarber to play in the field.

Jorge Soler will start in right in Game 3 for Chicago with Ben Zobrist in left. "There's no nothing. I know my role now, and I'm going to embrace it".

"Kyle is willing to take any risk, but he understands he has to take doctors' orders", Epstein said. "Obviously, I want to be out there for my teammates and everything - it's just the competitor inside me - but facts are facts". Bauer's struggles did not stop there, though, as he was pulled after allowing two runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. "Just make sure you stay smart with it.' There's nothing about watching him that tells me that he's inhibited right now". The major league ERA leader had a 1.32 ERA in 15 home games this year, and is coming off 7 1/3 shutout innings against Los Angeles in the clinching Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.

Only days ago, Schwarber was in the other end of the country, participating in Arizona's Fall League. "So I'm going to be ready at any time during the game to go out there and pinch-hit".

"We're thinking about it, " manager Terry Francona said.

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Cubs announce Kyle Schwarber hasn't been cleared to play the outfield