Cubs activate RHP Dillon Maples from injured list

ST. LOUIS — The Cubs activated right-hander Dillon Maples from the 10-day injured list before Monday’s 8-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Maples had been on the IL since June 16 with a strained right triceps. He has a 1.99 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 14 walks in 18 appearances. He tossed a scoreless inning in the loss.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned left-hander Kyle Ryan to Triple-A Iowa. Ryan has an 8.31 ERA in five appearances with the Cubs this season.

‘‘[Maples] is throwing well,’’ manager David Ross said. ‘‘He had a good outing [in] his last [rehab] outing two days ago, threw the ball well. He’s been healthy. Good to get him back. . . . Gives us a little bit of length and just right-handed, as we’re heavy left-handed right now in the bullpen. So it made a lot of sense.’’

Duffy trending toward Thursday return

Infielder Matt Duffy appears close to returning to the Cubs. He has been progressing well while on his rehab assignment at Iowa, going 4-for-13 in four games while playing third base.

Duffy has been on the IL since May 25 with a bulging disc in his lower back but is expected to return Thursday, when he’s eligible to be activated.

Infielder David Bote also is making progress after starting his rehab assignment during the weekend. He has been on the IL since May 30 with a dislocated left shoulder.

‘‘Guys have had good outings,’’ Ross said. ‘‘I think [Duffy] is still on track to come off on Thursday, if all goes well and continues to progress well.

‘‘David Bote had a good outing, as well. Still kind of monitoring that day-to-day. I don’t have a timeline for him. But things have been going well.’’

Outfield prospect Davis taking off

Coming off an MVP performance at the Futures Game during All-Star festivities, outfield prospect Brennen Davis continues to turn heads as the second half gets underway.

Davis, 21, got off to a slow start after being promoted to Double-A Tennessee, but he has begun to turn it on in July. Entering play Monday, Davis was hitting .370 with four home runs and a 1.267 OPS this month. He is the Cubs’ top position-player prospect and ranks No. 45 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list.

If such play continues, a promotion to Iowa might not be out of the question this season. Overall, Davis is slashing .288/.393/.532 with eight homers, 21 RBI and 22 walks at High-A South Bend and Tennessee.