Cubs shake up roster in addition to Bryant callup

CHICAGO -- Besides promoting top prospect Kris Bryant to the Majors, the Cubs made a flurry of other roster moves on Friday.

Chicago placed reliever Neil Ramirez (right shoulder inflammation) and third baseman Mike Olt (hairline fracture in right wrist) on the 15-day disabled list, activated outfielder Chris Denorfia from the 15-day DL and purchased the contract of Bryant.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein expressed relief in Ramirez's diagnosis, while Olt will likely be sidelined for some time. Ramirez exited Wednesday's game against the Reds after throwing just three pitches in the ninth inning. He underwent an MRI on Thursday that revealed the shoulder inflammation.

"All things considered, we got really good news on Ramirez," Epstein said. "The MRI showed no structural damage, just some inflammation in the back of his shoulder, so that was a relief to Neil and the organization. So he's going to take it slow and get back to full strength, and then come back."

Olt was injured when he was hit by a pitch on the wrist Saturday against the Rockies. Since the injury, he went 0-for-3 after entering two games as a pinch-hitter and he played third base in each contest.

Video: CHC@COL: Olt plunked in the 9th, forced to leave game

"He'll get casted up today, and will be out for a bit," Epstein said. "It's an unfortunate break for Mike."

Denorfia went on the disabled list April 5, retroactive to March 27, for a mild left hamstring strain. Entering the 2015 season, he batted .272 over nine Major League seasons with the Reds, A's, Padres and Mariners.

"Denorfia is up, which is interesting also. Nobody's talking about that," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He's a good professional baseball player."

Left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup has an opportunity to remain with the team longer, Maddon added. Rosscup was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, and he has thrown 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

"I like what he's done," Maddon said.

Extra bases

• Epstein spoke highly of Addison Russell, the Cubs' No. 2 prospect, according to MLB.com. Russell, normally a shortstop, played second base on Thursday at Triple-A Iowa.

Video: Top Prospects: Addison Russell, SS, Cubs

"He hasn't been at Triple-A all that long, but he's playing great, having really good at-bats, using the whole field. [He] played outstanding at shortstop the first week of the season, made like four highlight plays," Epstein said. "He's probably going to continue to play second base through the weekend, and we'll see how that goes."

• Right-handed pitcher Justin Grimm is moving closer to throwing a bullpen session, and he could potentially return to games soon, Epstein said. Grimm went on the disabled list retroactive to April 2 for right forearm inflammation.

• Shortstop Javier Baez should return soon from the bereavement list following the death of his sister.

"He's still with his family," Epstein said. "There's still some things for him to deal with with his family before he comes back."