Cubs roster moves: Albert Almora Jr., 6 others added to active roster

Saturday night, the Cubs announced that Ben Zobrist would return to the 40-man and active rosters, and David Bote was optioned to Iowa to make room on the 25-man roster. Mark Zagunis was designated for assignment to make room for Ben on the 40-man roster. More details here.

For Sunday’s game, the Cubs have also recalled or activated from rehab assignment seven other players to be available on the active roster beginning Sunday, six of whom have played for the team earlier this season: Albert Almora Jr., Robel Garcia, Duane Underwood Jr., Taylor Davis, Alec Mills and Daniel Descalso.

Brad Wieck, who was acquired from the Padres for Carl Edwards Jr., was also recalled. Wieck made 30 appearances for San Diego earlier this year with a 6.57 ERA, but was lights-out in seven games (5⅔ innings) for Triple-A Iowa after the trade: four hits, three walks, one run, 11 strikeouts. Wieck is a lefthander, so he will give Joe Maddon another lefty option in the pen.

It’s expected that more players will join the big-league roster once Iowa’s season is over, including the return of Bote; I noted some of those names in this article last Wednesday. Iowa has qualified for the PCL playoffs and so will be playing until at least Friday.

Lastly, Willson Contreras should be ready to return from his rehab stint with Iowa sometime this week, likely during the series at Milwaukee that begins Thursday.