Cubs’ show support of Stewart

If Ian Stewart has a good season, give his wife, Susan, an assist.

Stewart knew he’d have to spend most of the offseason rehabbing following surgery in July on his left wrist, which limited him to 55 games in his first season with the Cubs.

Rather than stay home to be with his wife and two young daughters, Stewart got the OK from Susan to fly out west for two weeks, then return to Asheville for a week, then head back to be with Carew.

This season, Stewart hopes to show Cubs fans what he can do.

“I think definitely they’ve seen me as good [defensively] as I can be the last few years, but hitting-wise it’s been a few years,” said Stewart, who belted 25 home runs in 2009 with the Rockies.

The Cubs did non-tender Stewart in November, then signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract on Dec.

Stewart talked to Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, often during the offseason.

The Cubs need more production from Stewart.

Last season, Cubs third basemen combined to hit 12 home runs and drive in 55 runs.