Cubs rookie outfielder Almora takes demotion with grace

MILWAUKEE — Just title Friday's Cubs movie: “Two center fielders and a wedding.”

Before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs activated center fielder Dexter Fowler off the disabled list and optioned rookie Albert Almora to Class AAA Iowa.

It's been a whirlwind for Almora. He got married Thursday. He and his wife, Krystal, are expecting a child Sept. 6.

“It's bittersweet,” he said of the demotion. “Now I get to go and just work every day and try to get better overall and come back and help the team win whenever that is.”

Almora played solid defense in his first 34-game stint in the big leagues. He had a hitting line of .265/.291/.422 with 2 homers and 9 RBI. Manager Joe Maddon had a message for him.

“That he's super proud and happy with what I've done and that he knows I'm a big-league player,” Almora said.

Maddon said he was impressed.

“I had a great conversation with him,” he said. “Great first attempt at the big leagues. I think he's at the point now where he believes he belongs here. He knows he can do this. He knows what to work on, what it feels like. Moving forward, it was a great moment for him, and for us. And he's going to be back.”

And about the wedding?

“It happened so fast,” Almora said. “It was (in) some courthouse.”

Fowler feeling fresh:

Dexter Fowler returned to the Cubs after being on the disabled list since June 19 with a strained right hamstring, an injury that kept him out of the All-Star Game.

“It feels like Opening Day,” he said. “It feels good to be back on the field and to be back with these guys. They don't even need me. It's good to get back and get those Ws with them, get to celebrate.”

Fowler homered his first time up in Friday's game, a drive to center field. He said the injury was a serious one.

“I knew I got it pretty good when I ran down to first,” he said of when he suffered the strain. “You never know how your body responds. It actually got better quicker than I thought.”

Welcome aboard:

The Cubs welcomed left-handed reliever Mike Montgomery on Friday. To make room, they optioned right-handed reliever Spencer Patton back to Class AAA Iowa.

Montgomery came to the Cubs Wednesday in a trade with Seattle that sent prospects Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn to the Mariners system.

“I was a little shocked; I'm not going to lie,” he said. “I knew, obviously, this time of year anything can happen, but I'm excited. Now I understand I've got a chance to be a part of a very good situation.”

Montgomery worked as a starter last season. This year, he made starts in his last 2 appearances with the Mariners but worked in 30 games out of the bullpen.

“In the bullpen this year, I learned some different things there and being a starter,” he said. “Just going in and trusting my stuff. I feel like refining everything each year has gotten me better. Now it's about having confidence to go out there and attack and execute pitches.”