Denorfia headed to DL with hamstring strain

ST. LOUIS -- Cubs outfielder Chris Denorfia is headed to the disabled list again after aggravating his left hamstring running the bases in Monday night's 10-9 loss to the Cardinals.

The Cubs are expected to promote outfielder Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Szczur was pulled from Iowa's game in Des Moines.

"It's not optimal," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Denorfia's condition. "He re-pulled the same hammy."

Video: CHC@STL: Denorfia singles to bring home a run

Denorfia started in right field in place of rookie Jorge Soler and hit a RBI single in the first against the Cardinals. In the third, he singled with one out, and one out later, he ran to third base on Addison Russell's hit. But Denorfia limped into third, and then took himself out of the game.

"I hit second a little awkwardly and when I tried to get back up to sprinting speed, I felt a little something," Denorfia said.

Denorfia opened the season on the DL because of a hamstring strain. He was activated on April 17. Denorfia said he felt 100 percent coming into the game.

"We've battled it since Spring Training," Denorfia said. "This is the third time I've felt something in the same spot. We'll keep battling and kind of start over again and see if we get it right."

Denorfia was playing well, too, and is 9-for-21 this season.

"It's very frustrating," he said. "I've never had a recurring muscle injury like this before. I took my five minutes to feel bad for myself and I'm moving on and getting ready to get better again."