In order to accommodate Clayton Richard and Taylor Teagarden on the 40-man roster today, the Chicago Cubs moved Tommy La Stella (oblique) to the 60-day disabled list and designated Gonzalez Germen for assignment.
La Stella was supposed to be a key component of the bench this year for the Cubs, but he’s essentially been out all year with a side issue. He suffered a rib cage injury in the first week of the season and was very nearly back to the big leagues in mid-May when he suffered the oblique injury while on a rehab assignment. Oblique’s can be a real pain to rehab, and I’m not even sure of his status at this time. Don’t expect to see La Stella back with the Cubs until after the All-Star break at the very earliest. It’s a shame. Because he’d already been out well over 60 days, the switch to the 60-day DL is entirely procedural and opens up a 40-man spot (in case you didn’t know, players on the 15-day DL do count against the 40-man roster, whereas players on the 60-day DL do not).
Germen got a brief tryout with the Cubs earlier this year when the bullpen was in crisis mode, but didn’t hang onto a spot. He’s posted a 3.78 ERA at Iowa, but a 4.73 FIP. The Cubs now have 10 days to trade, release, or waive the 27-year-old righty.