Cubs roster move: David Bote returns from paternity list, Alec Mills to Iowa

Congratulations to Cubs infielder David Bote and his wife Rachel on the birth of their third child, a boy named Sullivan.

Wednesday afternoon, the Cubs announced that Bote was returning to the Cubs’ active roster.

Alec Mills, who was recalled Sunday but has not appeared in a game so far this year, was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa. Randy Rosario, who was sent down when Mills was recalled but returned to the 25-man roster when Bote went on paternity leave, will stick around, as Joe Maddon wants extra lefties available to face the lefty-hitting Dodger lineup.

With that in mind, it’s entirely possible that Jon Lester will be activated from the injured Thursday to start against L.A., giving the Cubs three lefthanded starters against the Dodgers. That would push back Kyle Hendricks’ scheduled start to Friday against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Lester is coming off a mild hamstring injury suffered running the bases April 8 against the Pirates and has had a couple of bullpen sessions, but no rehab assignment.

As always, we await further developments.