Cubs place Kyle Schwarber on World Series roster

CLEVELAND -- In a stunning move, the Chicago Cubs put slugging outfielder/catcher Kyle Schwarber on their 25-man roster for the World Series and inserted him into the lineup for Game 1.

The 23-year-old Schwarber returns to the team a little more than six months after having surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. Doctors cleared himOct. 17 to hit and run, but he won't play the field.

The AL champion Cleveland Indians will host Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night. Schwarber will be the Cubs' designated hitter Tuesday and maybe for all the games played in Cleveland, and he'll be used as a pinch hitter when the series shifts to Wrigley Field.

Schwarber takes the roster spot of lefty reliever Rob Zastryzny, who was needed in the NLCS because of a heavy left-handed-hitting Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. The Cubs will employ 11 pitchers and 14 position players for the World Series, the same numbers they used in the NLDS. There were no other changes to their roster from the previous round.

Schwarber is the franchise's postseason home run leader after hitting five in 2015. He made his first career start against the Indians in June 2015, going 4-for-5 at Progressive Field. He's also an Ohio native.