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Tommy La Stella Moves On To Triple-A Iowa But Still Isn't In Mood To Explain Himself

(CBS) Trying to work his way back to the big leagues after previously refusing a minor league assignment, Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella is scheduled to hit sixth and play second base for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on Monday evening, the Des Moines Register's Tommy Birch reported.

La Stella recently played two games for Double-A Tennessee, going 2-for-4 with two walks. He sat out a couple days after being hit by a pitch but now appears to be fine.

La Stella, 27, authored a curious story when he refused to accept a minor league assignment on July 27 when the Cubs demoted him during a roster crunch. Instead, he returned to his home in New Jersey, indicating to ESPN.com in his only public comments to date that he wanted to re-evaluate his career, that he'd only play for the Cubs and his identity isn't rooted in playing baseball.

La Stella didn't speak with reporters during his stint at Double-A, and he declined an interview request from the Register on Monday afternoon.

For their part, the Cubs publicly supported La Stella but made clear he'd have to work his way through the minor leagues to return to Chicago.

La Stella has been a key left-handed bat off the Cubs bench, hitting .295 with an .846 OPS.

In other news Monday, Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan has reported for his rehab assignment at Triple-A. He suffered a rib injury last week.

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