CHICAGO — The Cubs are getting a big bat back just in time for the World Series.
Kyle Schwarber was added to the team's World Series roster Tuesday morning, completing a remarkable comeback from a severe knee injury in the first week of the season.
Schwarber could be used as a designated hitter or a pinch hitter during the Cubs-Indians series, which begins Tuesday night in Cleveland.
Schwarber, 23, blew out his knee during the third game of the season April 7 when he crashed into centerfielder Dexter Fowler while chasing a fly ball in the outfield in Arizona.
He torn the anterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee and underwent reconstructive surgery. He was declared out for the season — but it turned out to be just the regular season.
As a rookie, he played a major role in the Cubs' 2015 postseason run, knocking out five home runs. He rose to legendary status with fans thanks to his prodigious home runs.
One home run landed on top of the video board in right field — where it came to rest. The Cubs put a plastic box over it to preserve it. It came down during the offseason, but was returned this year.
The "Schwarber Ball" sits under the "i" of the Budweiser sign atop the right field video board.
The Cubs preserved Kyle Schwarber's monster home run ball inside a Plexiglass case atop the video board. (Cubs photo)
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
