Cubs activated Miguel Montero from disabled list – Designated Ryan Kalish for assignment
The Cubs announced two roster moves prior to Saturday’s game against Pirates. Catcher Miguel Montero was activated from 15-day DL. To make room for Montero on the 25-man roster, OF Ryan Kalish was designated for assignment.
The Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 39 players.
The Cubs will carry three catchers for now with Montero coming off the disabled list. David Ross and Tim Federowicz will share time with Montero behind the plate. Ross will continue catching Jon Lester and should also catch John Lackey.
Miguel Montero played in 13 games before landing on the disabled list with back stiffness. Montero was 10-for-48 with three doubles and a home run (.208/.316/.333) for a .649 OPS.
Montero played in three games for Iowa while on the rehab assignment. Montero was behind the plate for two of three games and was 2-for-10 in 10 plate appearances.
The Cubs placed Montero on the 15-day DL on April 28 retroactive to April 25 with back stiffness. Montero was eligible to return from the disabled list last Tuesday. The Cubs sent him on a rehab assignment to Iowa instead.
Tim Federowicz is 4-for-20 in seven games with two doubles and a walk (.200/.238/.300) for a .538 OPS. Federowicz has worked well, for the most part, with the pitching staff.
Ryan Kalish should clear waivers and accept the assignment to Triple-A Iowa. Kalish played in seven games and was 2-for-7 with a walk and two RBI (.286/.444/.286/.730). Kalish was tearing up the PCL before he was called up on May 3. In 20 games for the I-Cubs, Kalish hit .368/.471/.509 with four doubles and two triples for a .980 OPS.