Sept. 07--Kyle Schwarber no longer feels any tightness around his once-sore right rib, and he took some swings prior to Monday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
And the Chicago Cubs haven't completely ruled out their prized rookie slugger returning before this three-game series concludes on Wednesday.
"I don't know how everything else will play out," Schwarber said after swinging in the cages and playing catch at a distance of about 90 feet. "My goal is to be back by the end of this series. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."
Schwarber originally felt discomfort before last Wednesday's game. Although he does feel better, he admits the delicacy of the area makes it difficult to predict when he'll be fully healed.
"You can feel good, (but) the next day you can re-injure yourself," he said. "It's day-by-day."
At the same time, Schwarber admitted he was anxious with the Cubs moving closer to earn a playoff berth: "I'm chomping at the bit to get back. I want to play right now."
Schwarber revealed he spoke Sunday with team orthopedist Stephen Gryzlo, who emphasized the need "to be smart."
"He's seen this injury before and doesn't want to re-injure it," Schwarber said.
Manager Joe Maddon said Schwarber, who is batting .270 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in only 48 games, could be re-examined as soon as after Monday's game.
"As of right now, it looks like he's doing OK with it," Maddon said.
Before the game, the Cubs promoted pitchers Carl Edwards Jr. and Zac Rosscup from Triple-A Iowa. Edwards, who was 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings, was expected to join his teammates just before the start of Monday's game.
"I didn't see a lot (in spring training), but I did like what I did happen to see," said Maddon, who said he inquired about Edwards' development throughout this season.
"The biggest thing is how quickly he adapts emotionally to the whole thing," Maddon said.
Maddon also said he also expects at least two buses from his hometown of Hazeleton, Penn., to Philadelphia for this weekend's four-game series against the Phillies.
