Chicago Cubs' La Stella gets back at it in minor leagues
Tommy La Stella is back in the fold again for the Chicago Cubs. According to general manager Jed Hoyer, it's all up to La Stella as far as what happens from here.
La Stella finally showed up in the Cubs' minor-league system, but not at Class AAA Iowa, where he was optioned July 29. After taking time to ponder his future, La Stella arrived at Class AA Tennessee, where he was scheduled to be in the starting lineup for the Smokies' game Wednesday night.
La Stella, 27, had been home in New Jersey, so he will need time to get back into shape.
"The important thing for us was that the time spent (at home) was valuable to him," Hoyer said. "I think he's excited to get going. He's got to work his way back. In some ways, I think that's an important factor, as well. He knows he has to go down and perform and get back to playing.
"It's an unusual situation. We tried to handle it in this particular way. We thought we handled it the best we could. We're excited he's going to get back and start playing again."
La Stella balked at going to the minor leagues after batting .295 for the Cubs. He later said in one report he wanted to play baseball only for the Cubs. The front office and sports psychologist Ken Ravizza, who works with the organization, have been in frequent contact with La Stella.
Major-league teams can expand their rosters from 25 on Sept. 1. It's possible La Stella could be back by then.
"There are no promises," Hoyer said. "I think he'll go down and perform. Hopefully he's not too rusty. There are no promises but we're still pretty confident Tommy will go down and perform well offensively. He always has and probably always will."
Coghlan, Smith to DL:
The Cubs on Wednesday placed right-handed reliever Joe Smith and outfielder Chris Coghlan on the 15-day disabled list.
Smith has a left-hamstring strain, while Coghlan bruised his right ribs in a collision Tuesday.
The Cubs recalled right-handed reliever Spencer Patton from Iowa and kept pitcher Trevor Cahill on the roster. Cahill came off the disabled list Tuesday as the so-called 26th man teams are allowed for doubleheaders.
Smith, whom the Cubs obtained from the Angels in an Aug. 1 trade, largely has been ineffective. In six games with the Cubs, he gave up 6 hits and 3 home runs in 3⅔ innings.
"I don't know if it's a recurring thing of what happened back in May," Smith said of a similar injury earlier this season. "I'm not 100 percent. Trying to get through it, obviously I'm not getting the job done out there.
"Everybody felt that it was in the best interest to take this time and get to 100 percent and come back and do what I was traded here to do and what I've done for my whole career.
"I don't think I've every given up 3 homers in a week … Something ain't right."
Strop progressing quickly:
Reliever Pedro Strop played catch on the outfield grass Wednesday afternoon. He seems to be making good progress from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week.
Strop is expected to be out 4-6 weeks from the time of surgery.
"Maybe if things keep going the way they're going right now, maybe I'll come back earlier than what they prognosticated," he said, adding that he has been doing range-of-motion exercises and riding the exercise bicycle.