Cubs fans itching to bring up Kris Bryant

The Cubs of the present were put on hold Wednesday when their scheduled night game at St. Louis was rained out. The teams will make it up as part of a day-night doubleheader Aug. 30 at Busch Stadium.

A big topic, though, concerns the Cubs of the future. Third baseman Kris Bryant has been tearing it up lately at Class AA Tennessee.

Through his first 38 games of the season - Tennessee also was rained out Wednesday - the 22-year-old Bryant has a hitting line of .324/.425/.620 for an OPS of 1.045. He has 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 20 walks and 46 strikeouts.

Bryant was named the Southern League's player of the week for May 5-12 on the strength of a .464 (13-for-28) average, 12 runs scored, a double, 4 home runs and 14 RBI.

Naturally, fans want to know when Bryant will be promoted, either to Class AAA Iowa or even to the big-league club.

Speaking with reporters in St. Louis, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer indicated there is no rush to promote Bryant.

Veras back; Rosscup to DL:

Reliever Jose Veras rejoined the Cubs in St. Louis after doing a rehab stint at Tennessee. Veras, who struggled in the early going, went on the disabled list April 26 with a left-oblique strain.

"Everything is fine," Veras told reporters. "I'm healthy. That's the best part."

Veras, 33, did not allow a run and gave up 1 hit in 4⅔ innings over 4 rehab games at Tennessee.

To make room for Veras on the roster, the Cubs placed left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup on the DL with what they termed left-shoulder soreness.

Rotation plans:

The Cubs say Jason Hammel will start Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Cardinals. Hammel was the scheduled starter for Wednesday night's rained-out game. Ace Jeff Samardzija will open Friday's weekend series against the Brewers at Wrigley Field.