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Schwarber not medically cleared to play outfield

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Kyle Schwarber will not be taking the field at Wrigley.

Though Schwarber starred as Chicago's designated hitter against the Indians in Cleveland, Cubs president Theo Epstein confirmed doctors could not medically clear him to play the outfield in Games 3 through 5 due to his knee injury, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.

"Facts are facts. ... you got to respect the doctor's opinion," Schwarber told reporters, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

Ultimately, the "dynamic actions" required to play the outfield posed too much risk for doctors to clear Schwarber, according to the New York Posts' Joel Sherman, who adds the slugger could still be used as an emergency pinch hitter for the Cubs, before subbing out defensively for the next frame.

The 23-year-old made a surprise return to Chicago's lineup for Game 1 of the World Series, after missing a total of 170 games with a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Thanks to American League rules at Progressive Field, he was able to slot in at designated hitter, omitting a defensive role while slashing .429/.556/.571 across Games 1 and 2.

"The story is it's absolutely remarkable what he did ... I'm in awe of what he did," Epstein said Thursday, according to Gonzales.

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