Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview, Saturday 4/9, 7:10 CT

If you're still clinging to hope that "Kyle Schwarber could DH in the World Series!" (which is, also, great optimism about the WS), please read this:

Because there are multiple ligaments involved, Schwarber's rehabilitation will last much longer than six months. Surgery won't be performed until one to three weeks from now, when the swelling, stiffness and pain subside.

It may be too early to speculate on whether the 6-foot, 235-pound Schwarber will remain a catcher until he completes his rehabilitation and demonstrates full range of motion in his leg.

"The hope would be it's a very successful surgery, a very successful rehab with the most important factor being the patience, work ethic and determination," [Theo] Epstein said. "Kyle is obviously off the charts as far as that goes and (that) will serve him well through the rehab process. Then he comes back as good as new.

"But it is a significant surgery (because of) multiple ligaments being involved. It is a lengthy rehabilitation process, (but) we have all the faith in the world Kyle (will) come through it."

So, it's not going to happen. The earliest we'll see Kyle on a baseball field again is next February in Mesa. I agree with Theo's comments; Schwarber will work very hard to get back to his expected level of performance, and we'll just have to wait till next year.

In the meantime, the Cubs will carry on.

Here are today's particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Fowler CF, Heyward RF, Zobrist 2B, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Montero C, Soler LF, Russell SS, Hendricks P

.@kylehendricks28 makes his season debut tonight against the #Dbacks. https://t.co/PFoZ2rslNV #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/BpI8CDawJS

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 9, 2016

Diamondbacks lineup:

Segura 2B, Owings CF, Goldschmidt 1B, Peralta RF, Castillo C, Tomas LF, Drury 3B, Greinke P, Ahmed SS

Kyle Hendricks had a strong spring training, and his last start against the Diamondbacks (September 6, 2015 at Wrigley Field) was acceptable (five innings, one run). I'm hoping he continues to build on the excellent outings he had in spring camp. Of current D'backs, only one has faced him for more than two at-bats. That's Jean Segura (3-for-14).

Zack Greinke was signed to a huge contract by the D'backs and promptly got pounded, hard, by the Rockies in his first Arizona start. The seven runs he allowed represent 17 percent of all the earned runs he gave up all of last season. It was just the eighth time in his career (out of 324 starts) where he had given up three or more home runs. His last start vs. the Cubs was June 23, 2015 at Wrigley Field, where he threw six shutout innings (but the Cubs eventually won the game). The Cub who has faced him most is Miguel Montero (8-for-26, a double, two home runs, three walks).

To give you a further idea of how bad Greinke's first start was, at no time during his great 2015 season was his ERA ever above 2.00. To get to the 2.00 level now, he would have to throw 28 consecutive scoreless innings. Possible, but not likely.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Diamondbacks site AZ Snakepit. If you do go there to interact with Diamondbacks fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2016 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used at the end of 2015. Here's how it works.

You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.