Cubs' Bryant won't return from DL until at least Friday

The Cubs would like to have third baseman Kris Bryant back off the disabled list for Wednesday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers, but it's not going to happen.

Instead the Cubs will shoot for Friday, when they open a series against the Reds at Wrigley Field

Bryant has been on the DL, effective June 23, with left-shoulder inflammation. He took part in baseball activities before Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field, and manager Joe Maddon said Bryant "still felt it," after the workout.

"We like what's going on," Maddon said before the game. "We wanted to have him hit today on the field, go through some baseball activities and if he felt good, then he would be able to play tomorrow. If he doesn't, because of the off-day, it moves to Friday.

"Listen, I just want the guy to be well. I'm loving the break that he's getting right now over the last couple of years, all the work that he's put in. Even with these two days off this week, there are ways to get guys even more rest this week."

On Monday, the Cubs enjoyed their first scheduled off-day after playing 17 games in 17 days, including a day-night makeup doubleheader.

"Even if I could get some guys off (Wednesday), if that's possible, then they're almost going to get three out of four days off, probably even more beneficial than this year's all-star break," Maddon said.

Only good things to say:

Joe Maddon was hesitant to comment on remarks made by St. Louis Cardinals president John Mozeliak about former Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler. Mozeliak said in a podcast "a lot of people come up to me and question his (Fowler's) effort and energy level."

Fowler, who helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, has seen bench time in St. Louis with his line of .171/.276/.278 with 5 homers and 20 RBI entering Tuesday.

Maddon's words everyday to leadoff man Fowler were, "You go, we go."

"I've been reading about Dex, and it's really unfortunate because he is such a good friend, too," Maddon said. "He is effervescent. He is gregarious. He always lit up the room when he walked in. That's how I see Dex. He and I had great conversations all the time. I don't have any idea what's going on there in St. Louis. I just know my personal relationship with him is outstanding."

One more for Edwards:

Reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was wild Monday in his second rehab appearance for Class AAA Iowa. He allowed 2 runs on no hits, 2 walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch against Memphis.

The plan is for Edwards to travel with Iowa to Nashville for at least one more appearance. Edwards has been on the DL, effective May 30, with right-shoulder inflammation.

Giving Morrow a break:

Pedro Strop earned his second save of the season Tuesday in place of closer Brandon Morrow. Maddon said he wanted to give Morrow two days off after Morrow saved Sunday's game. Morrow recently was on the DL with lower-back tightness.