Jose Veras (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee soon. Veras was placed on the DL last weekend with a strained left oblique, but he's evidently feeling better already. He should rejoin the Cubs' bullpen in a couple weeks if all goes well.

Cubs placed RHP Jose Veras on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. Veras opened the 2014 season as the Cubs' closer, but he has allowed 10 earned runs in just 5 2/3 innings and will now probably be out for the next three weeks. Chicago is using a ninth-inning committee at the moment.

Jose Veras is unavailable for Friday's game against the Brewers due to a sore left oblique. He's considered day-to-day for the time being, but if he doesn't progress quickly there's a chance that he could be in line for a trip to the disabled list.

Jose Veras yielded two runs in his inning of work versus the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Veras has pitched just twice since losing his closer gig April 11 and has given up five runs in those two outings. Of course, expecting him to be consistent while working once a week is way too much for manager Rick Renteria to ask. The Cubs either need to get him more work or make up an injury for him so he can go on a rehab assignment.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Sunday that he hopes Jose Veras can eventually return to ninth-inning duties. Veras has been bumped from the Cubs' closer job temporarily as he works through some early-season kinks. "We certainly want to make sure we give Jose a chance to get back into the role and try to find situations we can allow him to work," said Renteria. "We're going to do our very best that he gets into a comfort level." Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, and Justin Grimm are forming a ninth-inning committee for now.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria announced Saturday that Jose Veras is "out for now" as the Cubs closer. After giving the veteran right-hander the dreaded vote of confidence after Friday's blown save, this is merely a formality. Renteria added that he'll see who emerges as a ninth inning option, but Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon should be viewed as the favorites.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria gave closer Jose Veras a vote of confidence on Friday, saying "he's still our guy". Renteria elaborated saying that it was too early to make a move just yet, and that he believes Veras's stuff is still there. While it's a nice sentiment, he's blown each of his two save chances thus far while posting a 12.27 ERA, 2.46 WHIP and 3/7 K/BB ratio over his 3 2/3 innings of work, and has also hit three batters. Fantasy owners speculating for saves should stash Pedro Strop or Hector Rondon, as one more blown opportunity could mean the end for Veras.

Jose Veras allowed two runs Friday against the Cardinals to blow his second save of the season. Veras' shaky start to the season continues. He allowed a hit, a walk, and hit two batters. The first run scored on a passed ball and Matt Carpenter eventually tied things up with a sacrifice fly. Veras was able to get Kolten Wong to ground out to escape the jam, but it was an ugly appearance. He now has now allowed five runs on two hits and seven walks over 3 2/3 innings this season. Cubs manager Rick Renteria said after the game that he's sticking by Veras as his closer, but he needs to turn it around soon.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria is not concerned with Jose Veras' early struggles. Veras blew a save in his first appearance of the season last Wednesday against the Pirates and walked four batters and threw a wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning Sunday, but Renteria is optimistic that things will get better from here. "(Veras) has only thrown a couple of times for us and in the spring (nine appearances). It's very hard for me to say I am concerned at this point," said Renteria. "Would I have liked to have had it run a little cleaner for him? Absolutely. I think he does too. It was just a game that didn't work out the way he wanted to." Veras would likely need a few more bad appearances before a change is considered at closer, though we figure Pedro Strop will get another chance before the year is out.

Jose Veras is not available to pitch on Thursday. Veras threw 38 pitches in his blown save Wednesday against the Pirates. He's not yet in danger of losing his grip on the Cubs' ninth-inning gig, but a few more hiccups could force a change from manager Rick Renteria.