CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero is back from Arizona, where he's been rehabbing a thumb injury. He'll see a specialist on Thursday but is planning to travel to Milwaukee when the Cubs take on the Brewers in a four-game series this weekend.

"I can play," Montero said. "It won't be 100 percent until after the season."

Montero injured his thumb before the all-star break, which prompted the recall of 2014 first-round pick Kyle Schwarber. It sounded like a more serious injury, but Montero says he's good to go. While the Cubs haven't weighed in on his return, it gives Maddon some lineup decisions if and when he’s ready. Schwarber played left field for the first time on Wednesday, so it's possible both he and Montero can be in the lineup at the same time.

"If the situation comes up again I'll do it (again)," Schwarber said after the 3-2 win over Colorado. "Whatever I can do to help the team I'll do it."

It sounds like all bets are off when it comes to who will play and who won't down the stretch. Mostly it will should determined by who's hitting, which is why Schwarber can't be sent back down to the minors. Not when he has a .357 batting average and .446 on-base percentage after reaching base three more times Wednesday.

"I wanted to give Starlin [Castro] and [Jorge] Soler today (off),” Maddon said before the game. "I wanted to get Schwarber in the outfield."

And that's where he could stay if Montero starts hitting upon his return. But that shouldn't mean the end for Chris Coghlan either. His at-bats are as good as anyone's. So maybe you'll see more of Soler on the bench and Coghlan in right field as we did Wednesday. Or maybe Addison Russell plays shortstop and Coghlan plays second if Castro keeps struggling. It's not ideal for the defense, but right now offense might trump everything else, as the Cubs rank 10th in the National League in runs scored as well as OPS.

"I want to be proactive in giving these guys days off," Maddon said.

But he undoubtedly won't be doing that to those that are hitting. Expect Kris Bryant to get another breather soon, and there might be more reinforcements coming in the form of Tommy La Stella, Javier Baez or others. The first two have returned from injuries and could be used in the middle of the infield if needed.

Maddon will have good choices to make as the Cubs try to find a level of offense which can take some pressure off their starting staff. The return of Montero can help both there and on defense but Schwarber can't go anywhere -- except back out to left. That’s the only choice they have if the team wants to contend.