MILWAUKEE — Newly acquired left-hander Mike Montgomery joined the Cubs roster on Friday and was considered available in the Cubs’ bullpen as the club prepared to open a three-game series in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
Right-hander Spencer Patton was optioned to AAA Iowa to make room on the roster.
The Cubs also expected to activate center fielder Dexter Fowler (hamstring) from the DL for the game, pending a quick check with the medical staff upon his arrival to Milwaukee.
The corresponding move for Fowler could involve rookie center fielder Albert Almora Jr., who worked with the strength coach and trainer in the outfield a few hours before Friday’s game and appeared to favor a lower-body discomfort as he ran and walked.
Fowler, the All-Star leadoff hitter, has been on the disabled list since June 19. The team lost 15 of 22 games into the All-Star break without him.
In other injury news, outfielder Chris Coghlan (rib cage) was to start a minor-league rehab assignment Friday with Class AA Tennessee. Outfielder Jorge Soler (hamstring) had his rehab assignment transferred from Iowa to Tennessee and is scheduled to resume play there on Saturday.
