Brandon Kintzler Activated, James Norwood Optioned

Brandon Kintzler has been activated from the injured list and will be available out of the bullpen Friday night in Pittsburgh. The righty has become one of the Cubs’ most reliable closers after a forgettable tenure following a trade from Washington last season, but has been out since exiting an August 5 appearance against the A’s with discomfort in his right pec.

Assuming he doesn’t look like a boob when he returns, Kintzler gives the Cubs another reliable late option in a ‘pen that has precious few of them right now. James Norwood, who just came up to replace Alec Mills, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room. More moves will follow in the coming days, as both Craig Kimbrel and Steve Cishek will be returning as well.