Searching for answers, Ian Stewart goes on DL

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Searching for answers, Ian Stewart will visit the Cleveland Clinic and see another specialist about the left wrist injury thats been nagging him since last August.

The Cubs third baseman landed on the disabled list on Thursday, and didnt know if surgery would be an option. He hopes another medical opinion will reveal something different and clarify what happens next by early next week.

In a way, you almost kind of hope that there is something there, Stewart said, because it has lingered for about a year and nothings ever really come up.

It was just always there in the back of my mind that theres something not right, even though nothing showed up on the MRI or the X-rays. That was the frustrating part, because I still feel it there bothering me.

The Cubs called up infielder Luis Valbuena from Triple-A Iowa, and also activated catcher Welington Castillo from the disabled list while designating catcher Koyie Hill for assignment.

Stewart described a tingling sensation, and having trouble with his swing on inside pitches. He said nerve tests came back negative last season when he played for the Colorado Rockies.

The Cubs did a medical background check when they acquired Stewart in the Tyler Colvin-DJ LeMahieu deal last winter. They thought he could be the power hitter who generated 43 homers combined in 2009 and 2010.

The wrist probably doesnt explain everything, but Stewart admitted it has impacted his performance. Hes batting .201 with five homers and has played in 55 of the teams first 62 games.

Manager Dale Sveum has pointed out the bombs Stewart hits in batting practice, but the player didnt see the parallel: The guys throwing 50 mph and you really have a lot more control over your swing.

I was just trying to battle through it, Stewart said. It just got to the point where I wasnt going to be able to go out there and really produce and help out the team. There was no sense in really being out there if its hurt and not getting any better.

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