No surprises with Schwarber knee surgery; rehab next

ST. LOUIS – Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber underwent reconstructive knee surgery Tuesday in Dallas, and general manager Jed Hoyer said no unforeseen damage was detected.

“It sounds like everything went as well as we could have hoped,” Hoyer said.

Schwarber, who was injured April 7 when he collided with center fielder Dexter Fowler chasing a fly ball, underwent a reconstruction of his anterior cruciate ligament and repair of his lateral collateral ligament.

The surgery, which was delayed long enough for the swelling to subside, was performed by Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ orthopedist and knee specialist.

“He’s really an expert on multiple ligament surgeries, and we tried to find the best person in the world,” Hoyer said

Schwarber, who hopes to be ready to play at full strength by next spring, is scheduled to return to Chicago Thursday and start rehab work almost immediately.

“It’s incumbent on him to do a great job on his rehab. Knowing his personality he’ll dominate his rehab,” Hoyer said. “There’s no indications that he’s not going to recover fully and be the player that we expect.”

Whether the catcher/outfielder will be able or allowed to catch again is still to be determined.

“We haven’t really talked through all that stuff,” Hoyer said. “Let’s get away from the surgery a little bit. We certainly haven’t had any discussions about ending that possibility.”