Cubs Roster Moves: Tommy La Stella, Justin Grimm Return

The Cubs had overextended their bullpen over the last week with starters leaving early and the 13-inning game Thursday.

To give them an extra bullpen arm, they recalled Felix Pena on Friday and sent Justin Grimm to Triple-A Iowa. Rob Zastrzyny was recalled Saturday when Matt Szczur was designated for assignment, and he threw 88 pitches in four innings in relief of Brett Anderson Saturday, so he wasn’t going to be available for a while and thus returns to Iowa.

With the injury to Anderson and his placement on the 10-day disabled list, Grimm (who ordinarily would have had to stay at Iowa for 10 days) can be recalled.

Also recalled is Tommy La Stella, who figured to be back whenever the Cubs needed to return to the now-”normal” complement of four bench position players. (I put that in quotes because I still think most teams should have more than four.)

For the time being the Cubs don’t have to replace Anderson in the rotation. Four days’ rest for that spot in the rotation would make the next turn come up on Thursday, which is an off day. So the Cubs can either skip that spot and keep everyone on normal rest, or add a starter (possibly Eddie Butler from Iowa) and push everyone back a day.

With the Szczur move, he is removed from the 40-man roster. Thus the 40-man currently stands at 38 players, so the Cubs could add someone from outside the organization if they find anyone worth picking up.