Bryant sits with nagging left shoulder

CHICAGO -- Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant did not start Tuesday because of discomfort in his left shoulder, and he may not be in the lineup on Wednesday either to give him time to rest.
"He's a little bit sore. I have to be proactive with that," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday. "I want to make sure we're not pushing it too hard right now."
Bryant was on the disabled list from June 26-July 11 because of inflammation in his left shoulder, and he is batting .250 in 10 games since being activated, hitting two home runs with eight RBIs. He struck out twice on Monday night in a 7-1 loss to the D-backs.
"Let's not mess with this now," Maddon said. "Rest would be the best thing for him now, but we're not necessarily ready to do that. For right now, it's trying to manage it and get him through the season. Hopefully, he can participate."

Butler activated from DL; Farrell sent down
The Cubs activated right-handed pitcher Eddie Butler from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned Luke Farrell to Triple-A Iowa.
Butler, 27, was placed on the disabled list April 20 because of a right groin strain. He's made five rehab starts with Iowa and pitched Thursday in Memphis, giving up one run on four hits and no walks with one strikeout over five innings.
"I'm here to help the team," said Butler, who can pitch in relief or make a spot start.
The right-hander was on the Cubs' Opening Day roster and went 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA in six relief outings before getting hurt.
Farrell, 27, has gone 3-4 with a 5.17 ERA in 20 outings, including two starts. On Monday, he lasted 3 1/3 innings against he D-backs and took the loss, giving up six runs.
Maddon did not have any update regarding closer Brandon Morrow, who is on the DL with right biceps inflammation.
"He's not ready yet," Maddon said. "There's no finish line yet."

Darvish throws off mound
Yu Darvish, who has not pitched since May 20 because of right triceps tendinitis, threw 16 pitches in the bullpen on Tuesday. It's the first time he's thrown off a mound since June 28.
Maddon said they'll evaluate the right-hander on Wednesday to determine the next step.
"It went well. There was no horrible discomfort, so that's a positive," Maddon said.
Worth noting
• Javier Báez was named the Cubs' winner of the Heart and Hustle Award, announced by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association on Tuesday. The award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is voted on by former players.
• The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo launched "Cancer Can't Compete," a new campaign to inspire Chicago-area families battling cancer and raise funds for cancer research. In partnership with University of Chicago Medicine, Mariano's and the Chicago Tribune, the initiative will spotlight Chicago-area patients and families who are fighting cancer and share the reality of their battles in stories run by the newspaper.
Every Sunday, beginning this Sunday, the 16-week campaign will feature intimate stories of 12 cancer patients and their families. The patients participating in the initiative have been treated at University of Chicago Medicine and represent a wide range of ages, races and cancer diagnoses, including many who have participated in clinical trials and leading-edge treatments.
• Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber visited the Adult Down Syndrome Center on Advocate Lutheran General Hospital's campus on Tuesday. Participants had a chance to talk one-on-one with the outfielder, take photos, and get souvenirs signed. The Adult Down Syndrome Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and has grown into a five day a week primary care practice with more than 7,500 patient visits annually.