OAKLAND -- Jorge Soler wasted no time before making an impact in his return to the Cubs' lineup after spending two months on the disabled list rehabbing a left hamstring strain. He belted a three-run homer in the first inning as the designated hitter in Friday night's 7-2 win against the A's.
"I just wanted to put a good swing on the ball," Soler said. "I was happy to be called up and I came ready."
Soler spent the previous two weeks with Double-A Tennessee, hitting .176 in 11 games, but he was 3-for-7 with a couple of runs scored over his past two games.
"We wanted to get Jorge back up, with this being an American League game," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
Soler is batting .224 for the Cubs this season.
"He always swings the bat well. His biggest obstacle is figuring out a way to stay on the field," said Cubs starter Jon Lester, who picked up Friday's win. "He's young though, and any time he's in our lineup he's definitely a presence. I'm happy he's back and helping us out."
Right-hander Joe Nathan, 41, was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.
"Nathan needs more time, and he didn't work out immediately," Maddon said. "I do believe he's on the right track, but with the DH coming up, there are a lot of things to consider."
Worth noting
• Trevor Cahill (right knee) could be in line to start one of the games in the Aug. 16 day-night doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers. He's been starting at Triple-A Iowa.
"We need to get him going up here," Maddon said.