Cubs Will Promote Tommy La Stella This Week

(CBS) The Cubs will give infielder Tommy La Stella a second chance on their big league roster.

After sitting out for nearly three weeks after being upset by a demotion to the minor leagues in late July, La Stella will be called up this week, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Monday. La Stella played two games at Double-A Tennessee, then reported to Triple-A Iowa last week and has been working his way back into a playing rhythm since.

La Stella was demoted on July 27 in a roster crunch, as the Cubs didn't want to expose outfielder Chris Coghlan to waivers and La Stella has an option left. La Stella then returned home to New Jersey for three weeks instead of reporting to his assignment.

For their part, the Cubs all along 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.

Rosters expand for MLB teams this Thursday.