Cubs to recall Kyle Schwarber after Miguel Montero injury

The Chicago Cubs will recall highly-touted prospect Kyle Schwarber for Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

The Chicago Cubs will recall highly-touted prospect Kyle Schwarber for Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves,​ according to Cubs.com. 

Schwarber will take the place of catcher Miguel Montero, who sustained a thumb injury this past weekend and will be placed on the disabled list. Montero will see a specialist and is expected to miss more than the minimum 15 days, according to Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat.

On Sunday, Schwarber was named MVP of the MLB All-Star Futures Game​. The 22-year-old was called up by the Cubs for a six-game stint as a designated hitter in June, which included a 4-for-5 performance in his second career game. 

The Cubs drafted Schwarber in 2014 as a catcher and he has played 52 games there in the minors this season with seven errors and 10 passed balls. Scouts have doubted whether he has the ability to be a long-term major-league catcher, and he has spent time at both DH and left field in the minors.  

• TAYLER: Schwarber, Team USA coast in rout at Futures Game

When Chicago called up Schwarber in June, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told ESPN.com that the prospect still had to develop as a catcher before playing the position at the major-league level. According to Muskat, Schwarber will not be the Cubs' everyday catcher at this time.

In 17 games at Triple A this season, Schwarber has hit .333 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and 23 strikeouts. 

- Molly Geary