Miguel Montero will not be activated from the disabled list when he’s eligible to return Tuesday but he has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with a minor league affiliate.
Montero is expected to join the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday for the opener of a four-game series with the Nashville Sounds at Principal Park. The Des Moines Register reported the Cubs plan for Montero to play four rehab games with the I-Cubs before he’s activated from the disabled list.
Multiple reports from Wrigley before Monday’s game was postponed indicated Montero would spend three to four days with a minor league affiliate before coming off the DL for the weekend series At Wrigley with the Pirates.
Montero’s rehab assignment will not only help him get back to game speed he will also be able to spend time with Willson Contreras for a couple of days. Contreras will only benefit from the unexpected visit from Montero.
Miguel Montero has been on the DL since April 28 with lower back tightness. The Cubs backdated his trip to the disabled list to April 25 which made him eligible to return Tuesday.
Tim Federowicz has done a good job filling in for Montero. The Cubs really missed Montero in the finale with the Nationals. Federowicz has trouble behind the plate as Jake Arrieta struggled with commanding his breaking stuff. Arrieta was charged with three wild pitches.
Before going on the disabled list, Miguel Montero was hitting .208/.316/.333 with three doubles and a home run for a .649 OPS in 13 games.
Miguel Montero is expected to catch at least three games a week when he returns with David Ross catching Jon Lester and on days the Cubs face a left-handed starting pitcher.