Cubs' Montero close to return, but 'won't be 100 percent until after the season'

Though the discomfort in his sprained left thumb hasn't completely subsided, Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero declared himself just about ready to return from the disabled list Wednesday afternoon

"I can play," Montero said. "It won't be 100 percent until after the season."

Montero, who will see a specialist Thursday, was expected to miss up to six weeks when he landed on the disabled list towards the end of the All-Star break.

Despite his hasty recovery, however, Montero's impending return doesn't mean top prospect Kyle Schwarber is headed back to the minors. Recalled from Triple-A Iowa earlier this month to replace Montero, the 22-year-old catcher received his first MLB start in left field Wednesday, a development that suggests the Cubs are eager to keep him around when Montero returns.

"If the situation comes up again I'll do it (again)," Schwarber said after his team's 3-2 win over Colorado. "Whatever I can do to help the team I'll do it."

It also helps that Schwarber, the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, entered Wednesday's game hitting .344/.447/.594 with two home runs, two doubles and six walks in 12 games since rejoining the Cubs on July 17, his second stint in Chicago this year.

Montero, meanwhile, hit .230/.337/.392 (104 OPS+) with 10 homers and 1.2 wins above replacement in 73 games before landing on the disabled list.