Cubs activated INF Luis Valbuena from the 15-day disabled list. Valbuena has been on the shelf since August 3 with a strained oblique. With Donnie Murphy tearing the cover off the ball, and Valbuena returning to a .225/.330/.372 line, it's hard to envision him playing on a regular basis right away.

Luis Valbuena (oblique) went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a walk in his first rehab game with the Cubs' Arizona League affiliate on Tuesday. If all goes well, Valbuena should be back around when rosters expand on September 1. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since August 3 with a strained right oblique.

Luis Valbuena (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' Arizona League team Tuesday. Valbuena has been on the disabled list since August 3 because of a strained right oblique. He should be activated early next month if all goes well.

Luis Valbuena has been cleared to head to the Cubs' spring training complex to begin workouts. Valbuena has been on the disabled list since August 3 because of a strained right oblique muscle. He should be ready to rejoin the Cubs around early September.

Cubs placed INF Luis Valbuena on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 3, with a strained right oblique. It's an injury that usually requires more than a minimum DL stay. The Cubs will use Cody Ransom and Donny Murphy at third base while Valbuena is on the shelf.

Luis Valbuena is expected to be placed on the disabled list prior to Sunday's game due to a right oblique strain. Valbuena, who suffered the injury on Friday, should return before the end of the month. The Cubs will use Cody Ransom and Donny Murphy at third base in the meantime.

Luis Valbuena went 2-for-5 and hit his seventh homer Wednesday off Oakland's Bartolo Colon. Valbuena hit .190 with no homers in June, but he was pretty good the first two months and the Cubs aren't exactly teeming with third-base alternatives, particularly now that they've released Ian Stewart. Maybe they'll pick one up in a Matt Garza or Kevin Gregg trade. Otherwise, it could be Valbuena's job for the rest of the season.

Luis Valbuena had a decent night at the dish in Friday's loss to the Reds, going 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and RBI. Valbuena hasn't been great, but has done enough to lock up the everyday job as the Cubs third baseman for the time being. Through his first 38 games, he's hitting .257/.361/.442 with five homers and 15 RBI. He could be worth a look as an injury replacement in deeper mixed leagues, especially playing half his games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

Luis Valbeuna (pinkie) is back in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies. Valbuena has missed the past three games with a jammed right pinkie. It shouldn't be an issue moving forward.

Luis Valbuena (pinkie) is expected to return to the Cubs' lineup on Wednesday against the Rockies. Valbuena has missed the past three games with a jammed right pinkie. It was never a serious concern.