Injured Schwarber planning to 'attack' rehab process

Kyle Schwarber has all the confidence in the world in the Chicago Cubs.

Two days after an outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler tore multiple knee ligaments and ended his 2016 season, the powerful 23-year-old tweeted words of thanks to Cubs fans, and expressed optimism that this year's World Series favorites will survive without him.

"Thank you all for the encouragement," Schwarber wrote Saturday. "This is a test of character and (I) plan to attack it head on. This team is special and fun to watch!"

Related: Cubs rally behind Schwarber after season-ending injury

Club president Theo Epstein also sounded hopeful that Schwarber will be successful in his rehab. Despite his optimism, though, Epstein was quick to caution that there's little hope for a miraculous comeback this season due to the amount of damage sustained to both his ACL and LCL ligaments, as well as his severely sprained ankle.

"It is a significant surgery (because of) multiple ligaments being involved," Epstein told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune on Friday. "It is a lengthy rehabilitation process, (but) we have all the faith in the world Kyle (will) come through it."

Epstein continued, "The hope would be it's a very successful surgery, a very successful rehab with the most important factor being the patience, work ethic, and determination. ... Kyle is obviously off the charts as far as that goes and (that) will serve him well through the rehab process. Then he comes back as good as new."