Cubs' Tommy La Stella Still Hasn't Reported To Triple-A

(CBS) Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on July 29 in a move that was surprising and dictated by the numbers game of Chicago having plenty of good players and also wanting to continue carrying three catchers.

At the time, Cubs manager Joe Maddon acknowledged La Stella was upset, saying he "didn't like it." Part of the reason for the tough decision was that La Stella had an option remaining, meaning he could be sent down without being exposed to other organizations on waivers.

Now 10 days later, La Stella still hasn't yet reported to Triple-A, the Des Moines Register's Tommy Birch reported Sunday. Players typically have 72 hours to report to a new destination in cases like this, but the Cubs extended extra time for La Stella to report, Birch reported.

The 27-year-old La Stella is back home in New Jersey tending to some "family business," Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey told the Register without going into details.

La Stella was a key bat off the bench for the Cubs, hitting .295 with an .846 OPS and making the occasional spot start when matchups dictated it.

MLB rosters expand in September, so that will give the Cubs the flexibility to add La Stella back to the roster and give them a month to decide what's the best approach for a 25-man playoff roster.