Maddon tabs Schwarber for leadoff gig

Get ready to see a lot more Kyle Schwarber.

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon revealed his early plans for the club's 2017 batting lineup Thursday, admitting that Schwarber will take over for the departed Dexter Fowler at the top of the team's lineup, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.

Giving Schwarber the leadoff role, however, doesn't mean Maddon is about to give the podgy slugger the green light on the basepaths.

"No, and it's not from a lack of speed," he said, according to Muskat.

Maddon's cautious approach with Schwarber stems from the torn ACL the outfielder suffered last season. Though the 23-year-old did return in time to help the club win the World Series in seven games over the Cleveland Indians, Schwarber was never medically cleared to play the field due to the injury and is still rehabbing his left knee.

If Schwarber's knee does rule him out for a game, Maddon also suggested utility man Ben Zobrist as a possible "Plan B" for the leadoff role.