The Cubs addressed the Tommy La Stella situation Tuesday afternoon. La Stella has been placed on the minor league temporarily inactive list. La Stella has refused to report to Triple-A Iowa. La Stella will continue being paid but will not earn service time.
Jed Hoyer met with the beat writers and said La Stella is not ill and there are no family issues according to the Tribune. Joe Maddon explained before Hoyer answered questions about La Stella that there are “no extenuating circumstances with La Stella at home or in his personal life” that he is aware of. La Stella is working out at home in New Jersey.
Hoyer said that La Stella’s absence “causes the Cubs to look for a left-handed bat.” The Cubs are hoping for a “resolution sooner rather than later.” Hoyer explained the team is just trying to give him time.
The Cubs do not have a timetable on when La Stella could return. Maddon said the ball is in his court. La Stella would be welcomed back but at this point he will have to report to Iowa if nothing else to get at-bats and get into baseball shape again.
Jesse Rogers talked to Tommy La Stella after Joe Maddon and Jed Hoyer met with the beat writers. During an update on ESPN 1000, Rogers said that La Stella told him he was contemplating retiring from baseball before the season.
The Cubs’ front office knew where La Stella stood about his career before the season.
La Stella said to Jesse Rogers that he only came back to play with the Cubs and try to win a championship with his teammates. La Stella explained to Rogers that he would retire if the Cubs tried to trade him.
Tommy La Stella is at the point he will either play for the Cubs or walk away from the game.
Jesse Rogers explained on ESPN 1000 that baseball is not the most important thing in La Stella’s life. But the Cubs are.
Rogers said the bottom line is that he wants to play for the Cubs and no one else. La Stella doesn’t want to be in Triple-A or play for any other Major League team.
Tommy La Stella assured Rogers that if the Cubs call him back to play for the Major League team he will give 100 percent and do everything he can to help the team win games. If he’s not called back that he might just step away from the game.
Tommy La Stella would have some work to do in the clubhouse. Several of his teammates (Jake Arrieta, Matt Szczur, Jason Heyward) and Joe Maddon have reached out and been in contact with La Stella.
The Cubs said they would welcome him back when he’s ready.