July 18--The Chicago Cubs aren't wasting any time with Kyle Schwarber, as the rookie standout will start Friday night at catcher and bat second against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Schwarber, 22, replaces Miguel Montero, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of what the team announced as a left thumb sprain.
Schwarber batted .364 during a six-game stint last month but caught only one inning during his brief promotion against American League teams Cleveland and Minnesota.
Schwarber batted .333 (20-for-60) with seven doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and seven walks in 17 games. Schwarber was named most valuable player of the Futures Game on Sunday at Cincinnati after hitting a two-run triple for the U.S. in a 10-1 win over the World team.
With the addition of Schwarber, All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo moves to fourth in the batting order for the first time this season. Starlin Castro also drops to seventh for the first time this season.
In other news, the Cubs announced their Aug. 9 game against San Francisco will start at 1:20 p.m. and will be televised by Comcast SportsNet.
Here's the Cubs' lineup:
Fowler cf
Schwarber c
Bryant 3b
Rizzo 1b
Soler rf
Coghlan lf
Castro ss
Hendricks p
A. Russell 2b
