Tyler Colvin is back with the Cubs following a two-week demotion to Triple-A because Alfonso Soriano has been placed on the disabled list with a strained quadriceps muscle.
According to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com the Cubs don’t actually think Soriano would be unavailable for a full 15 days, but put him on the DL anyway because they “don’t want to go too long a man short.”
Most teams take the opposite approach, playing short-handed for as long as possible if they think an injured player can ultimately avoid the DL.
Colvin earned his demotion by going 7-for-62 (.113) to begin the season and wasn’t particularly impressive at Triple-A, batting .260 with a terrible 13/2 K/BB ratio in 12 games (although he did show good power there).