The Cubs haven't ruled out a possible return for injured slugger Kyle Schwarber, if the team were to advance to the World Series.

Schwarber, who tore two ligaments in his left knee in just the third game of the regular season, has been cleared by doctors to hit. He will join the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League on Saturday.

"It was a pleasant surprise," Cubs president Theo Epstein said before Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. "We got news that was better than expected."