Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Schwarber Summoned

This version of the Kyle Schwarber tour stands to last longer than six games.

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Schwarber, who was promoted for six games in June to serve as the team’s designated hitter during an American League road trip, will be recalled Friday to take the roster spot of Miguel Montero. Montero is expected to be placed on the disabled list with a jammed left thumb with the potential to be sidelined for six weeks.

Schwarber garnered attention during Sunday’s Futures Game, hitting a two-run triple and being named the game’s MVP, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon spoke to Schwarber’s potential the same day.

“Schwarber is always under consideration for what we’re doing for the future,” Maddon said Sunday.

Schwarber may not be the everyday starter in Montero’s stead — his defense behind the plate is still a work in progress — but he’s not being promoted to pinch-hit once a game for six weeks. The 22-year-old played 36 games in left field in the minors last season after being drafted, and he’s expected to get some time in a corner outfield spot while with the big club.

But while it will be hard to stomach Schwarber’s defense at times, it will be worth it to get his bat in the lineup. Schwarber homered, had six RBI and scored six runs during his first go-round with the Cubs, and he’s batted .333/.429/.613 with 34 homers, 102 RBI and 101 runs scored in 147 minor league games since being the No. 4 overall draft pick in June 2014.

Fortunately for fantasy owners, Schwarber’s defense doesn’t matter in their game. He should play, and hit, regularly enough to be a mixed league asset, and he should be owned accordingly.

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Life Without Montero

With Montero’s injury, the Cubs suffered a big loss before even playing a game in the season’s second half.

Montero hurt the thumb catching a pitch during Saturday’s game against the White Sox, and he aggravated the injury later in the game while swinging a bat. He underwent an MRI on the thumb after the game, but nothing more serious was discovered. He is set to see a specialist in the coming days.

Still, it’s a long time to make due without a player the team acquired this past offseason to provide some veteran leadership — and offense — from behind the plate. Montero was hitting .230/.337/.392 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 73 games before the injury. Cubs catchers hit .221/.285/.335 with 13 homers and 61 RBI all of last season, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

Without Montero, the Cubs will occupy a committee approach, with David Ross and the recently promoted Schwarber both seeing time behind the plate. If Montero misses the full six weeks, he’ll return at the beginning of September. The Cubs hope it’s in time for a playoff run.

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Werth On Track For Return

While the Cubs are losing a core piece, the Nationals are getting closer to having one back.

Jayson Werth, who has been out since May 15 with a fractured left wrist, began a rehab assignment with High-A Potomac on Thursday. Werth went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout in his return to action.

The injury, sustained when he was hit on the wrist by a pitch on May 15, was the most recent, but not the only, ailment that has sidelined Werth this season. Werth missed the first six games of the season as he recovered from offseason should surgery.

Werth is one of a handful of Nats who have missed significant time this season. The club is still without Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Denard Span, all integral parts of the team’s project Opening Day lineup and rotation. Zimmerman is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon as well.

The injuries have contributed to Werth hitting just .208/.294/.287 in 27 games this season, but he’s capable of much more production when healthy. The 36-year-old averaged a .282/.375/.452 line with 16 homers, 63 RBI and 72 runs scored per year over his first four years with the Nationals.

If Werth returns healthy, he could be a big addition to the Nationals and fantasy lineups alike in the second half.

National League Quick Hits: The Braves agreed to terms with Jason Frasor to join their bullpen. Frasor, 37, owned a deceptive 1.54 ERA over 23 1/3 innings with the Royals before being released, and despite some underlying numbers that suggest he won’t be quite as potent with the Braves, Frasor could quickly take on a high-leverage role with the club in Jason Grilli‘s absence. Jim Johnson remains the team’s closer for now … Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Ryan Vogelsong will begin the second half in the bullpen. Vogelsong was pushed from the rotation with the return of Matt Cain, Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson and the emergence of Chris Heston. That likely means Tim Lincecum will pitch out of the bullpen upon his return … The Giants signed INF Everth Cabrera to a minor league contract. Cabrera had a shot to win playing time with the Orioles early in the season, but the infielder batted .208/.250/.229 in 96 at-bats before being released on June 13. The Giants have an All-Star middle infield in Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik, so Cabrera will serve solely as organizational depth or protection in case of an injury … Nori Aoki (leg) ran and took batting practice Thursday for the first time since landing on the DL. He’s making progress in his return from a fractured right fibula but isn’t yet ready for a rehab assignment.

American League Quick Hits: Matt Shoemaker may find himself on the outside looking in at the Angels’ rotation when Jered Weaver returns, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register speculates. After a strong showing in his rookie year in 2014, Shoemaker owns a 4.85 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 91 innings this season … Weaver, sidelined with left hip irritation, will throw another simulated game Monday or Tuesday of next week after throwing three innings in a sim game Thursday afternoon. If Weaver gets through his next outing alright, he’ll be ready to rejoin the Angels’ rotation … Huston Street (groin) will throw a bullpen session Friday with the hope that he’ll be available to pitch as early as Saturday. Street hurt the groin last Wednesday against the Rockies, but it hasn’t been a lingering issue. He should be fine going forward … A’s general manager Billy Beane said Jesse Hahn is facing a “somewhat extended stay” on the disabled list with a forearm strain. The hope is that rest will help Hahn, who is out at least until late July after hitting the DL on July 11 … Steven Souza (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Saturday. He could return from the disabled list as early as Tuesday, when he’s first eligible … Brian Johnson will make his major league debut early next week. The Red Sox southpaw was promoted to take the rotation spot of the injured Clay Buchholz. Johnson, 24, owns a 2.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 81/26 K/BB ratio over 85 2/3 innings with Triple-A Pawtucket this season … Michael Bowden opted out of his minor league contract with the Orioles, becoming a free agent. Bowden has a 1.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 52/20 K/BB ratio over 75 1/3 innings with Triple-A.

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