CHICAGO -- Though Cubs rookie Kyle Schwarber says he could play if needed, the team will take a cautious approach after an MRI on Thursday revealed a strained right rib cage.
Schwarber will miss the weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and then be re-evaluated before a showdown with the National League Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.
"We're going to let it rest for a couple days and go from there," Schwarber said Friday morning. "I don't want to hurt the team if I get reinjured. I'm going to try and get back out there as soon as I can."
Schwarber injured himself on a check swing in the batting cage before Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. He was a late scratch before getting an MRI, which revealed the strain.
"When it calms down, you get a good read and take it from there," manager Joe Maddon said. "Our trainers have a lot of experience with this. The big thing is Schwarber shut it down immediately when he felt something, so that was a good thing."
A timetable for rib/oblique injuries can be hard to pinpoint, and reinjury is a common occurrence. The Cubs will do everything they can to avoid that.
Schwarber is hitting .270 with a .365 on-base percentage and 13 home runs in 48 games. He said if this was the postseason he would be playing, but his goal is to be in the lineup against the Cardinals early next week.
Newcomer Austin Jackson is expected to get the bulk of the playing time in the outfield with Schwarber sidelined.