Cubs roster move: Jon Lester activated, Tim Collins returned to Iowa

Jon Lester suffered a hamstring injury running the bases during the Cubs home opener on April 8. He hit the injured list a couple days later after originally thinking he could make his next start.

This afternoon, he is being activated to start against the Dodgers:

The option of Tim Collins is a bit of a surprise, as he had pitched reasonably well in four appearances for the Cubs since his recall April 10. The Cubs apparently are happy enough with Kyle Ryan and Randy Rosario as lefties in the pen, at least until Mike Montgomery returns.

With the reactivation of David Bote from the paternity list Wednesday, the Cubs’ active roster now has four position players on the bench. The short bench lasted only one day (Tuesday), and the Cubs survived that with a win. I wouldn’t recommend doing that for long periods of time, though.

Lester’s return brings the Opening Day rotation back to completion, and with two off days next week, all of them will get extra rest.