Mike Montgomery has been scheduled as tonight’s starter for a while now, but his activation off the disabled list required an official roster move. And it’s finally been made:
The #Cubs today activated LHP Mike Montgomery off of the 10-day DL. RHPs Alec Mills and James Norwood have been optioned to @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/rBhj7K4yz2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 30, 2018
Montgomery (shoulder) has been on the disabled list since August 14th, and hasn’t pitched a competitive inning since August 11th. Even still, he’ll start tonight’s makeup game against the Braves and will do so without the benefit of a rehab assignment.
To make room for him on the roster, the Cubs have optioned Alec Mills back to Triple-A Iowa, after making his second start of the season for the Cubs yesterday. If you’re holding out hope for a six-man rotation including Mills, even though Theo Epstein indicated that it was unlikely earlier today, know that this doesn’t really disqualify that. With the rosters expanding on September 1st, Mills could be right back up for another turn in the rotation as soon as it came up. But again, that might not happen.
James Norwood, on the other hand, was simply the Cubs 26th man for yesterday’s double-header. So his return to Iowa was completely expected – especially because he did wind up pitching yesterday. He, too, is a candidate to return to the bullpen once rosters expand.