Joe Maddon not worried about potential injury risk with Kyle Schwarber
Chicago Cubs manger Joe Maddon has no concerns of injury with Kyle Schwarber penciled in to be Jason Hammel‘s personal catcher.
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon declared recently that Kyle Schwarber will be the personal catcher for starting pitcher Jason Hammel during the 2016 season.
The Cubs have long envisioned Schwarber assuming some catching duties and having him be the personal catcher for Hammel is the best opportunity for him to develop behind the plate. Though, some concerns have surfaced. Between offensive decline and the risk of injury, playing catcher at the Major League level is no easy task.
Maddon, however, is confident in Schwarber.
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“If you’re worried about guys getting hurt constantly, that’s a bad premise to start from,” Maddon said. “It’s part of the game. I don’t want them to think about getting injured ever. I want them to go play. I think if you go in with that kind of an attitude, the chances of getting hurt are less.
“It makes him more valuable by being able to do all these different things as a National League player. As an American League player, this guy’s like wired in almost every day with that (designated-hitter) slot open. But as a National League player, I think you have to be creative to keep him in the lineup hitting left-handed.
“The guy loves it. He works his butt off at it. I have no concerns.”
Having Schwarber as a a catcher every five games will also make life easier for Maddon when it comes to finding playing time for the Cubs’ outfielders. With Jason Heyward being the the everyday right fielder, the Cubs will need to find playing time for Schwarber, Dexter Fowler, and Jorge Soler in the outfield. With Schwarber catching Hammel, that will give the Cubs the opportunity to go with an outfield of Soler, Fowler, and Heyward at least once every five games.
The potential reward of a lineup that includes Soler, Fowler, Heyward and Schwarber may outweigh the risk of injury for the Cubs.
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Are the Chicago Cubs making the right decision by having Kyle Schwarber be Jason Hammel’s personal catcher? Sound off in the comments section with your thoughts.