Veras returns refreshed; Rosscup lands on DL

ST. LOUIS -- Veteran reliever Jose Veras, sidelined with a strained left oblique, was activated and joined the Cubs on Wednesday in St. Louis and reliever Zac Rosscup was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder soreness.

Veras last pitched for the Cubs on April 24 and was then shut down. He made four rehab outings with Double-A Tennessee, and gave up one hit, two walks and struck out three over 4 2/3 innings. He started on Tuesday and retired all three batters he faced.

"I'm good to go and healthy, and that's the best part," Veras said. "Every pitch was there, my fastball, changeup, breaking ball."

With the Cubs, Veras served up 10 runs on six hits and 10 walks over 5 2/3 innings while striking out five in six games.

He lost his job as the closer after blowing a two-run lead against the Cardinals on April 11.

"He was the go-to guy in the bullpen for the Tigers in the postseason and didn't walk a guy," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. "Whether it was mechanics or a little bit of an injury, he got off track and needed to find it. Hopefully, after the little stint on the DL, his body feels good and he's ready to go."

Veras sounded as if he was starting the season over.

"It's a new day," Veras said. "The past is past. I've got to start over, and that's why I'm here. The best part is I'm healthy and good to go."

Does he want to be the closer again?

"As soon as I'm healthy, I can do my thing," Veras said. "I know who I am. I've been through a lot of things. I know who I am, I know what I can do."

Rosscup had trouble getting loose in the bullpen and has been dealing with the soreness in the shoulder for a few days. He will be examined in Chicago by team orthopedic specialist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo.