Cubs put Tommy La Stella on DL, call up left-handed relief pitcher

No, Tommy La Stella’s rib cage inflammation hasn’t opened the door for an early Kris Bryant callup.

The Cubs placed La Stella on the disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to April 9, and called up left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup to take some pressure off the bullpen.

La Stella played in the Cubs’ first two games of the season but hasn’t played since because of rib cage inflammation on his right side.

Asked whether Bryant was considered to take La Stella’s place, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he discussed the situation with general manager Jed Hoyer and president Theo Epstein and concluded that the bigger “concern” was taking pressure off an overworked bullpen.

Bryant, meanwhile, is tearing up Triple-A in the same fashion he tore up the Cactus League. He’s 7 for 16 in the last three games with a pair of home runs.

The Cubs sent Bryant back to the minors after his blockbuster spring to retain a year of control over him before reaching free agency. The organization would lose control of that year if it called Bryant up before Friday.