CHICAGO -- Injured Chicago Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart is likely headed toward wrist surgery.

Stewart, who has been on the disabled list since June 14 with left wrist soreness, hasn’t been able to find comfort through a series of cortisone injections.

“Yeah, I think it’s a strong likelihood is a strong way to characterize it,” general manager Jed Hoyer said of the surgery route. “He may be able to avoid it but to this point we have tried to exhaust every option to avoid it and it may well end up with surgery. It’s been frustrating for Ian and frustrating for us.”

Stewart has dealt with the issue for over a year without doctors finding anything specific to treat. In his latest examination after going on the disabled list, calcium deposits were found that might be affecting a nerve.

“We’re probably going to have to make that decision [on surgery] pretty soon just for the fact that there is no progress going on,” manager Dale Sveum said.

Since Stewart has been out, Luis Valbuena has taken over at third base. While his defense hasn’t been at the same level as Stewart’s, Valbuena has delivered three home runs in 14 games, including an opposite-field shot in Friday’s game against the Houston Astros.