MLB notes: Cubs call up slugging catcher Kyle Schwarber

The Chicago Cubs apparently aren’t afraid to put prized catcher Kyle Schwarber in the midst of a playoff race.

Schwarber, 22, will be promoted Friday from Triple-A Iowa to take the place of Miguel Montero, who will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Cubs have a three-game series against the Braves in Atlanta starting Friday followed by a three-game set in Cincinnati with the Reds.

Montero injured his left thumb last Saturday and will see a hand specialist Friday to determine the extent of damage.

The left-handed hitting Schwarber, 22, batted .364 during a six-game stint with the Cubs last month and was named most valuable player in Sunday’s Futures Game after hitting a two-run triple.

The Cubs will continue to carry three catchers, with Schwarber splitting time with veteran David Ross and Taylor Teagarden.

Beltran makes another rehab start

New York Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran singled in three at-bats and played five innings of defense in his second minor league rehabilitation game while recovering from a strained left oblique.

The 38-year-old Beltran, playing for Class A Tampa against Charlotte on Thursday night, also went two for two with a walk as the designated hitter Wednesday.

Beltran is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Giants sign Cabrera

Shortstop Everth Cabrera has signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, General Manager Bobby Evans confirmed. Cabrera is scheduled to join San Francisco’s Arizona rookie league team initially before he joins triple-A Sacramento.

The 28-year-old Cabrera appeared in 29 games for Baltimore this season, batting .208 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs before his release last month. He spent the previous six seasons in the NL West with San Diego regularly facing the reigning World Series champion Giants, who also won titles in 2010 and ’12.

Cabrera was suspended by Major League Baseball for the final 50 games of the 2013 season for violating the sport’s drug agreement in relation to its Biogenesis of America investigation.