CHICAGO _ Kyle Schwarber will get a brief rest after the World Series before resuming rehabilitation on his left knee that eventually could determine how much he catches next season.
General manager Jed Hoyer said trainer P.J. Mainville stressed the need for a break so the recovering player wouldn't be taxed at some point in 2017.
Hoyer reiterated that Schwarber, who is limited to designated hitter and pinch-hit duties during the World Series, likely would go to winter ball to get some at-bats _ probably in December after the eight-month post-operation mark.
Hoyer said the expected six- to eight-month recovery period made Daniel Cooper, who performed the surgery, uncomfortable about clearing Schwarber to play the outfield in the Series. A decision on how much Schwarber will catch could come later, but Hoyer added the emergence of rookie Willson Contreras could change the landscape.
"Willson is the one guy I still look at as a young guy, but he's getting rid of that," said Hoyer, adding he hopes Contreras spends the offseason resting instead of playing winter ball.
