Cubs activate righthander Kyuji Fujikawa, outfielder Nate Schierholtz designated for assignment

DENVER - The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa from the 60-day disabled list. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz has been designated for assignment.

Fujikawa will be available for the Cubs tonight against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Fujikawa, 34, returns to the Cubs following an almost 14-month recovery from Tommy John surgery on June 11, 2013. He made his major league debut with the Cubs last season after pitching 12 years with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Central League. Fujikawa appeared in 12 games last year, recording the save on Opening Day, and went 1-1 with two saves and a 5.25 ERA (7 ER/12.0 IP). He twice landed on the disabled list, first on April 13 with a right forearm strain, and again on May 27, the day after walking off the mound due to injury with surgery soon to follow.

The righthander combined to make 12 rehab appearances with three minor league clubs in the past month, posting no record and a 0.77 ERA (1 ER/11.2 IP). He struck out 13, walked three and limited opponents to a .171 batting average.

Schierholtz, 30, batted .192 (60-for-313) with six homers and 33 RBI in 99 games for the Cubs this season. He signed with the team prior to the 2013 campaign, when he went on to hit a career-best 21 home runs.