Cubs' Kyle Schwarber Keeps Door Opened Oh So Very Slightly To A Return This Season

(CBS) To be clear: The Cubs remain steadfast in their plan for second-year slugger Kyle Schwarber to sit out the rest of the 2016 season as he continues his recovery and rehab from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that he suffered during the first week of the season.

That doesn't mean Schwarber can't dream, though.

As the Cubs continue a march to the postseason with baseball's best record and a 12.5-game lead in the NL Central, Schwarber on Thursday left the door opened oh so slightly to a return this season.

In an interview with 670 The Score pregame and postgame host Mark Grote, Schwarber was asked whether there's "any chance of coming back this year?"

"There's no comment on that -- most likely probably not," Schwarber said. "So we're shooting for spring, but I'm going to push myself as hard as I can to come back as soon as I can. It sounds like it's going to be spring."

Schwarber's rehab process is going well, though it should be noted he hasn't even started side-to-side movement on his injured knee yet. He continues to be a constant presence around the Cubs.

"I feel good," Schwarber said. "Everything's right where it needs to be. Doctors said it's looking good. I'm starting to jog now on the ground, straight lines, no cutting. Everything's going according to plan, it's just a low processs. I'm just happy to be here and be able to watch some baseball and cheer these guys on."

Despite the emergence of rookie catcher Willson Contreras, Schwarber is still continuing with his preparations as a catcher. He split time between the outfield and catcher in 2015 after coming up through the college ranks as a catcher.

"I want to be ready for anything, so I want to keep the same mindset," Schwarber said. "Even through this injury, I want to prepare as a catcher and keep studying everything I possibly can to be ready for next year."

Schwarber hit .246 with 16 homers, 43 RBIs and an .842 OPS in 69 games as a rookie in 2015.