The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Javier Assad from the 15-day injured list on Saturday and he will start Game 2 of a doubleheader against the host St. Louis Cardinals. Assad was on the IL with a right forearm strain.
He last pitched for the Cubs on June 23. Assad, who turns 27 on July 30, is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 16 starts this season.
He has struck out 79 in 83 innings. Also, left-hander Luke Little (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL and right-hander Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Little, 23, departed Friday's 5-1 victory over the Cardinals in the eighth injury with discomfort in the shoulder.
Little is 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 30 relief appearances. Roberts, 27, appeared in three games for Chicago earlier this season and tossed four shutout innings.
St. Louis won Saturday's opener, 11-3. --Field Level Media.