Cubs' La Stella odd man out as Coghlan returns
The Cubs on Friday made the "difficult decision," in manager Joe Maddon's words, to option infielder Tommy LaStella to Class-AAA Iowa to make room on the 25-man roster for outfielder Chris Coghlan, who was ready to come off the 15-day disabled list.
LaStella was hitting .295 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI. In his last 8 games, he was 7-of-14 with 4 walks.
Maddon said LaStella was the odd man out for no other reason than he still had an option, thus the Cubs didn't have to designate another player for assignment.
"It was hard to do. He didn't like it," Maddon said of breaking the news to a third-year major leaguer like LaStella, who he stressed took the news hard but professionally. "It's just part of the rules and how they are constructed. Our game kind of forces you into these moments."
In a five-game rehab stint at Class-AA Tennessee, Coghlan went 8-for-16 with 4 doubles, 5 walks and 6 RBI. He said before Friday's game that the rib cage strain that forced him to the disabled list was a thing of the past. He proved as much in his second at-bat by singling to left field with two outs to drive in Javier Baez from third base and David Ross from second.
"It was great to be with the boys again and grind out a win," Coghlan said. "I knew that was a big situation early in the game with two outs and two guys on to maybe put us out in front, especially with Jon (Lester) throwing. So I was grateful to come through."
Overall, Coghlan finished 1-for-3 with 2 walks and scored twice.
"The base hit really got us going and he drew a couple of walks on top of that," Maddon said. "He had himself a good day."
Hey, Hey, Heyward:
Jason Heyward hit a home run to the bleachers in right center in the third inning to extend the Cubs' lead to 5-0. It was Heyward's fifth home run of the season and his first since June 11 at Atlanta.
The struggling veteran outfielder has been working on his swing daily with hitting coach John Mallee with the goal of elevating the ball more. Entering Friday's game, Heyward's .325 slugging percentage ranked last in the National League among 77 qualifying players.
Heyward was unavailable for comment after the game but one teammate said the home run had to be encouraging.
"The guy just works so hard," Ben Zobrist said. "You see him working every day, trying to break through. He's had so much bad luck this year hitting balls hard at people and people making great plays on him that when you see him hit a ball like that into the wind and it goes out you're just so happy that, finally, one went over the fence that he hit well."
Glad you're on my side:
Chris Coghlan reminisced before Friday's game about the only time he faced new Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman.
"I walked and I felt like I hit a double."