CHICAGO -- Kyle Schwarber might miss the rest of the season with the Cubs because of a knee injury, but you wouldn't know it from Monday night's applause at Wrigley Field.
Schwarber, a Middletown, Ohio, native got a huge standing ovation as he climbed the dugout steps -- crutch in hand -- and stepped onto the field for the Cubs' home opener against the Reds.
The Cubs played a video tribute to Middletown High School grad whose now-iconic home run last October helped the long-beleaguered ball clubclinch a postseason series at Wrigley Field for the first time in history.
Schwarber's tape-measure blast in the seventh-inning against the Cardinals landed -- and sat -- on top of the scoreboard.
Oct. 13, 2015. Schwarber celebrates at the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game four of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field. Photo by David Banks/Getty Images
Just a few days into this season, the left fielder and fan favorite suffered a left ankle sprain during the Cubs' win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last Thursday. Initial X-rays taken Thursday night were negative, ESPN reported, but an MRI taken Friday revealed a fully torn left ACL and LCL in his left knee.
The Middletown High star was the Cubs' top pick in the 2015 draft and the fourth pick overall.
Kyle Schwarber, on a crutch, limps out for pregame intros. pic.twitter.com/EG6dX2CIRn
— Paul Skrbina (@ChiTribSkrbina) April 11, 2016
Win one for the Schwarber. pic.twitter.com/jAnaLjDT4W
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) April 11, 2016
