The Chicago Cubs placed infielder Tommy La Stella on the disabled list Tuesday retroactive to April 9 with rib cage inflammation in his right side but didn’t call up power-hitting phenom Kris Bryant.
Instead, the Cubs recalled left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup to take La Stella’s place on the roster. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Bryant’s status was discussed, but management believed the team’s most urgent need was bullpen help.
La Stella has not played since the Cubs’ first two games of the season. Third baseman Mike Olt also is sidelined with a wrist injury.
The 23-year-old Bryant is off to a hot start with Triple-A Iowa, batting .381 with two home runs, six RBIs and a 1.089 OPS in five games. He had three hits and two errors in Iowa’s 4-1 win over New Orleans on Monday night.
If the Cubs wait until Friday to call up Bryant, they will delay his free agency for a year. Anticipation has been building for Bryant’s arrival in Chicago after he belted nine home runs for the Cubs during spring training.
Rosscup appeared in 18 games for the Cubs last season and was 1-0 with a 9.45 ERA.