Miguel Montero to 15-day DL with back tightness, Cubs to Call Up Tim Federowicz
Updated 1:21pm CDT – Cubs officially placed Miguel Montero on 15-day DL retroactive to April 25 with lower back tightness. Cubs selected the contract of Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Iowa. Cubs 40-man roster stands at 40 players.
The Cubs will place Miguel Montero on the 15-day DL with back tightness at some point Thursday. Montero remains active as Tim Federowicz makes his way to Chicago. Once Montero is placed on the DL, it will be retroactive to April 25 as long as he is not forced to play in Thursday’s finale with the Brewers.
Miguel Montero will be eligible to return from the disabled list on May 10. He will miss the two series against the Pirates and Nationals.
The Cubs will select the contract of Tim Federowicz from Triple-A Iowa. Federowicz will be added to the 40-man and active roster. Once the moves are official, the Cubs 40-man roster will stand at 40 players.
Tim Federowicz will split time with David Ross while Montero is on the DL. Federowicz will start games and just not be the Cubs back-up catcher to Ross.
Federowicz is an excellent defensive catcher and spent the entire spring in big league camp learning the Cubs pitching staff. Federowicz has hit .303/.415/.515 in 11 games for Iowa this season with four doubles and a home run for a .930 OPS.
The Cubs do not feel Willson Contreras is ready yet. He needs time in the minors. Joe Maddon would not rule out Contreras being called up if the same situation arises later in the season.
Miguel Montero had an MRI on Tuesday. He is not sure what aggravated his back. Montero had back problems in 2013 that kept him from being able to walk. A stint on the disabled list will give him a chance to rest and keep the team from playing with one catcher.
Montero did not have an answer for what happened, other than guessing it’s his age.