Cubs option Kyle Schwarber to Triple-A

After getting off to a dreadful start at the plate to this point in the season, the Cubs have optioned Kyle Schwarber to Triple-A, per David Kaplan of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

Schwarber, 24, missed nearly all of last season with a torn ACL and LCL, but he returned to hit .412/.500/.471 in the World Series. Despite ending last season as a World Series champion, Schwarber has not carried that momentum into this season.

Through 64 games, Schwarber was hitting to an abysmal .171/.295/.378 line with 12 homers, 10 doubles, and 28 RBIs. His .171 batting average is currently the worst among qualified hitters, though his .193 BABIP indicates he has been victimized by some tough luck at the plate.

The expectation is that this will not be a lengthy demotion for Schwarber, and it is a good opportunity for the young slugger to clear his head and regain some confidence against lower competition.

For now, the Cubs have placed Jason Heyward on the DL, and have reportedly recalled RHP Dylan Floro and OF Mark Zaguinis from Triple-A. Ben Zobrist is also nearing a return to the big leagues after he went to the 10-day DL with a wrist injury last week.

The defending champs currently sit in second place in the NL Central at 36-35, just 1.5 games behind the Brewers, whose hot start has taken the league by surprise.