Cubs catcher Montero returns from DL
Cubs catcher Miguel Montero returned from the disabled list Saturday and went right back into the starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The interesting thing about the corresponding roster move is that it gives the Cubs three catchers on the roster. Instead of sending catcher Tim Federowicz out, the Cubs designated outfielder Ryan Kalish for assignment. Federowicz is the third catcher behind Montero and David Ross.
"It gives us more freedom to do things in the latter part of the game," said manager Joe Maddon. "You've seen us pull catchers early for different maneuvers. When you're going with just one guy into extra innings, it's never comfortable. Fed (Federowicz) has kind of forced our hand to do this because he played so well and he looks so good. So that's how we chose to do it. It can change, obviously, but for right now, we thought it was the right thing to do."
The Cubs will have another roster move to make soon, as outfielder Matt Szczur is due to come off the DL Wednesday in Milwaukee. A rehab stint for Szczur would buy the Cubs some time. They go from 13 pitchers to 12 when Szczur comes back.
Montero was 2-for-10 with 2 RBI in his rehab assignment at Class AAA Iowa. He was 0-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in Saturday's 8-2 victory.
"It's a good feeling to be back, a little nervous, coming up for the game," he said. "But it feels good. It's always nice to be back in the lineup, playing and healthy."
Montero was on the DL with lower-back tightness, a condition he has dealt with in the past.
"It felt good," he said of his three games at Iowa. "At first, I was a little skeptical of blocking and all this. I got to block a lot of balls. All of the issues I had going (were) in my mind, not my body, because I was feeling good. I felt pretty good blocking, and that was kind of a turning point, where I felt I'm good to go now."
Not much to nitpick:
Cubs ace Jake Arrieta has pitched at least 8 innings three times this season. He is the first Cubs starter to open a season 7-0 since Carlos Silva began 8-0 in 2010.
Over his past 8 starts against the Pirates, including last year's wild-card game, he is 6-1 with an 0.75 ERA. Aside from giving up 2 runs in the fourth inning Saturday, about the only thing he did wrong was walk pitcher Jeff Locke in the fifth.
"At least he's slow on the bases," Arrieta joked.
This and that:
Ben Zobrist was 2-for-3 with 2 walks. He has reached base safely in his last 21 starts since April 18 ... Jason Heyward had his second 3-hit (all singles) game of the season and extended a hitting streak to six games ... Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage was ejected in the fourth inning by home-plate umpire Brian Knight for complaining about ball-and-strike calls.