With their offense struggling heading into the All-Star break, the last thing the Chicago Cubs need to happen is the loss of one of their best run producers. Unfortunately, that has happened. The Cubs will place catcher Miguel Montero on the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday night's game at the Atlanta Braves because of a jammed left thumb. That news is bad enough, but it now appears that Montero could miss as much as six weeks according to NBC Sports' RotoWorld. 

The Cubs sit in third place in the National League Central division as play resumes Friday, but they also hold the second N.L. Wild Card position by one game over the New York Mets. To reach the postseason, the Cubs will need to crank up the offense, which is ranked 11th in the National League in runs scored. Losing Montero will not help.

Montero has a low slash line of .230/.337/.392, but he has produced runs in the clutch. He has hit 10 home runs (third on the team) and driven in 32 runs (fourth) in 73 games in his first year with the Cubs. For his career, Montero is a .261/.342/.419 hitter with 107 HR and 80 RBI in 10 seasons, the first nine with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs acquired him in a trade over the offseason; he has two more years and $28 million left on his contract.

Defensively, Montero has worked well with all pitchers, and he has thrown out 25% of potential base stealers. 

MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports that the Cubs have not yet confirmed the six-week time frame, but her colleague, Jonathan Mayo, has made it public that six weeks is very likely.

Muskat's report begins with good news for catching prospect Kyle Schwarber, who will join the Cubs in Montero's place as VAVEL's Josh Eastern has discussed. Schwarber served as a pinch hitter in his first at bat and then as the designated hitter during the Cubs' latest run through American League ball parks in mid-June. He was 8 for 22 (.364) with 1 HR, 6 RBI, and 6 R in his debut stint against the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. He also struck out eight times.

It is unclear yet how much Schwarber will start as David Ross has returned to action following his consussion. Taylor Teagarden has also seen time behind the plate in recent weeks.

Muskat says that manager Joe Maddon had not planned on recalling Schwarber, but he had little choice with the news of Montero's injury. Should Montero miss six weeks, then he would return in early September. In that case, Schwarber could find himself on the 25-man roster for the rest of the 2015 regular season and have a legitamite chance at making the postseason roster (should the Cubs make it) with a strong performance. 

Whoever starts behind the plate as play resumes Friday night will need to supply some of that offense that the Cubs will lose with Montero out. Even though the Cubs have a team ERA of 3.31, they have lost some close games of late and missed chances to gain ground in the division. Losing one of their top run producers makes it more difficult for them to secure a playoff berth. Someone needs to step up.