Cubs activate OF Ryan Sweeney and INF Luis Valbenuena, recall RHP Alberta Cabrera from Triple-A Iowa

The Chicago Cubs today activated outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the 60-day disabled list, activated infielder Luis Valbuena from the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-handed pitcher Alberto Cabrera from Triple-A Iowa. 

To make room for Sweeney on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Eduardo Sanchez was designated for assignment.

All three players will be available for the Cubs this afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field.

Sweeney, 28, returns after enduring a left rib fracture when crashing into the center field wall June 29 in Seattle. He is batting .295 (33-for-112) with four home runs and 15 RBI in 44 games with the Cubs this season. Sweeney played in five rehab games as part of his return, including a 1-for-4 effort last night with Single-A Kane County.

The left-handed batter and thrower had his contract selected by the Cubs on May 6 from Iowa, where he batted .337 (28-for-83) with two doubles, two triples, six home runs, 16 RBI and a 1.022 OPS in 23 games. Sweeney was released by the Red Sox near the end of spring training and signed a minor league contract with the Cubs on April 3.

Valbuena, 27, was placed on the disabled list on August 4 with a right oblique strain. He is batting .225 (64-for-285) with 13 doubles, nine home runs and 31 RBI in 89 games for the Cubs this season. Valbuena played in three rehab games as part of his return, including a 1-for-3 effort with a walk last night in Kane County.  

The left-handed batter and right-handed thrower hit .219 (58-for-265) with 20 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBI in 90 games with the Cubs last season, his first in the organization. He was claimed off waivers on April 4, 2012 from Toronto.

Cabrera, 24, returns for his second season with the Cubs after splitting this year with Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. He combined to go 10-6 with a 3.79 ERA (56 ER/133.0 IP) in 33 appearances, including 18 starts, between the two stops. He went 9-3 with a 3.20 ERA (40 ER/112.2 IP) in 18 starts with Tennessee and 1-3 with a 7.08 ERA (16 ER/20.1 IP) in 15 relief appearances with Iowa.

The right-handed pitcher made his major league debut with the Cubs last August, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA (13 ER/21.2 IP) in 25 relief appearances. Cabrera struck out 27 batters in 21.2 innings, but also issued 18 walks.

Sanchez, 24, went 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA (4 ER/6.1 IP) in four relief appearances with the Cubs this season. He was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on May 21 and combined to go 1-1 with three saves and a 3.38 ERA (15 ER/40.0 IP) in 33 relief appearances between Triple-A Iowa and Triple-A Memphis.

Chicago's 40-man roster stands at 40 players.