Cubs activate RHP John Lackey from 10-day DL … Option RHP Eddie Butler to Triple-A Iowa
As expected, the Cubs made two roster moves Tuesday prior to the second of the three-game series in Atlanta. RHP John Lackey was activated from the disabled list to make the start against the Braves. To make room on the roster for Lackey, RHP Eddie Butler was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
The Cubs active roster consists of 12 pitchers (five starters, seven relievers) and 13 position players.
John Lackey was placed on the 10-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis of the right foot on July 6. He makes his first start since July 5 versus Tampa Bay at Wrigley Field, when he allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three in a 7-3 Cubs win. It was his 11th start of the season with six or more innings pitched in 17 outings.
Lackey is 5-9 with a 5.20 ERA (57 earned runs in 98 2/3 innings) and 1.32 WHIP in 17 starts this season. Lackey has given up 101 hits, a National League worst 24 home runs, and 30 walks with 86 strikeouts.
Eddie Butler has gone 4-3 with a 3.95 ERA (24 earned runs in 54 2/3 innings) and 1.42 WHIP in 13 appearances, 11 as a starter, since being recalled to the Cubs on May 12. Butler began the season with Iowa, where he went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (four earned runs in 30 2/3 innings) and a 1.10 WHIP in five starts.
The Cubs will likely have Jake Arrieta (Friday), Jon Lester (Saturday) and Jose Quintana (Sunday) start the three games against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Kyle Hendricks is expected back from the DL on Monday for the first of four with the White Sox.