Chicago Cubs optimistic following Schwarber surgery

ST. LOUIS - The Chicago Cubs expressed optimism about the future of catcher-outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who underwent major knee surgery Tuesday.

Schwarber had the surgery performed in Dallas by Dr. Daniel Cooper, head team physician for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cubs say their own team doctor, Stephen Gryzlo, was in close contact with Cooper.

During the surgery, Schwarber had his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed and his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) repaired. He sustained the injury April 7 while playing left field in a game at Arizona. Schwarber collided with center fielder Dexter Fowler as both chased a flyball in left-center field

Although Schwarber will miss the rest of this season, he will begin his rehab almost immediately.

"It sounds like everything went as well as we could have hoped," said general manager Jed Hoyer, who joined the team at Busch Stadium. "He's resting and will probably come back sometime on Thursday."

Hoyer added that nothing unusual was found during the surgery and that Cooper has an outstanding reputation. Schwarber will do most of his rehab in Chicago, Hoyer added.

"Getting him started with the movements (of the knee) is really important," Hoyer said. "We know he'll do a great job in his rehab. It's incumbent on him to really do a great job on the rehab. There's no indication that he's not going to recover fully and be the player we expect."

Schwarber was the Cubs' first-round draft pick in 2014. He came up from the minor leagues last year and hit 16 home runs in 69 regular-season games and 5 in the postseason.

"He knows what's ahead," Hoyer said. "He was in good spirits before. I think he's gotten over the initial shock. He's back to his normal self. I think you know his personality. He'll dominate this rehab. I think he'll work incredibly hard.

"We miss his bat, but we miss that personality. He's such a competitor and a winner. He'll go about the rehab the same way."