Cubs Activate Javier Assad and Miguel Amaya, Option Nate Pearson, DFA Jon Berti

Keeping it simple with just the press release, though I will note that the Cubs have announced Javier Assad will start Tuesday night in place of Ben Brown.

The Chicago Cubs today reinstated catcher Miguel Amaya and right-handed pitcher Javier Assad from the 60-day injured list. In corresponding moves, the Cubs optioned right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson to Triple-A Iowa and designated infielder Jon Berti for assignment. Chicago’s 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players.

Amaya, 26, has been on the injured list since May 25 with a left oblique strain. Prior to being placed on the IL, he appeared in 27 games, hitting .280 (26-for-93) with nine doubles, four home runs, 25 RBI and a .819 OPS. He has posted a 25% caught-stealing rate and Cubs pitchers have a 4.37 ERA (108 ER/222.2 IP) with him behind the plate.

Assad, 28, has yet to pitch for the Cubs this season, having opened the season on the injured list with a left oblique strain. Entering his fourth season with the Cubs, Assad holds a career record of 14-11 with a 3.40 ERA (111 ER/294.0 IP) in 70 games (47 starts). Last season, he went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA (61 ER/147.0 IP) in 29 starts. He is expected to start tonight’s game at Toronto.

Pearson, 28, is 0-1 with a 9.20 ERA (15 ER/14.2 IP) in 11 games across three stints with the Cubs this season.

Berti, 35, appeared in 53 games this season with the Cubs, hitting .210 (21-for-100) with two RBI. He had 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts.

The Cubs play the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto tonight at 6:07 p.m. CT in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and, in Spanish, on WRTO 1200 AM.