Cubs activate Grabow from DL

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today activated left-handed pitcher John Grabow from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-handed pitcher Mitch Atkins to Triple-A Iowa.

Grabow was placed on the disabled list May 31 with a left knee sprain. He made four rehab appearances with Iowa, posting no record and a 6.75 ERA (3 ER/4.0 IP). He did not allow a run in three of his four appearances, including his most recent outing on Sunday at Memphis (1.0 IP). Grabow allowed three runs on four hits in 1.0 inning Saturday at Memphis but otherwise allowed only two hits and one walk in the other three outings.

The lefthander is 0-3 with a 9.45 ERA (21 ER/20.0 IP) in 23 relief appearances for the Cubs this season. In his most recent big league appearance, Grabow allowed three runs on four hits (two home runs) in 2.0 relief innings May 30 vs. St. Louis and was placed on the disabled list the next day.

Grabow is 20-18 with six saves and a 4.30 ERA (195 ER/408.1 IP) in 443 major league relief appearances with Pittsburgh (2003-09) and the Cubs (2009-10). Acquired by the Cubs July 30, 2009, Grabow went 3-0 with a 3.36 ERA (27 ER/72.1 IP) in 75 appearances between the two clubs last season. He signed a two-year contract with the Cubs last November.

Atkins was recalled from Triple-A on June 12 but did not make a major league appearance. He is 4-2 with one save and a 2.63 ERA (14 ER/48.0 IP) in 14 appearances (six starts) with Iowa this season.