Montgomery nearing return to Chicago 'pen

CHICAGO -- By all accounts, Mike Montgomery is healthy and ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen. Prior to Tuesday's game against the Marlins, manager Joe Maddon said that the team was still discussing the plan for Montgomery's return, which could come within the next couple of days.

Part of the discussion surely involves the makeup of Chicago's bullpen, which lacks multiple candidates with Minor League options. Beyond the main group of arms, right-hander Allen Webster is out of options, while lefty Kyle Ryan could be sent back to Triple-A Iowa without being exposed to waivers. Ryan is currently the only lefty in the bullpen, however, and has developed into a key part of the relief cast.

"He's been outstanding," Maddon said of Ryan, who entered Tuesday with a 60-percent ground-ball rate. "And you also know that it just doesn't have to be against a left-handed hitter. He can [get grounders] against a righty also."

Given that Montgomery logged 76 pitches for Iowa in a rehab appearance Friday, and then threw a bullpen session Sunday, Wednesday would be the first possible day that the lefty would be available to pitch. Montgomery -- placed on the 10-day injured list April 6 with a left lat strain -- has made four Minor League rehab outings with no complications.

"Monty, if he's throwing well, he's been a big part of our group," Maddon said. "We've got to try to figure this out soon and we are working on that. The challenge component of it, we do have our ideas. We're just not ready to unleash them yet. We're just working on things."

Maddon was asked if the Cubs might consider using Montgomery as part of a six-man rotation, considering that the club is in the midst of playing 26 games in a 27-day stretch.

"We haven't talked about it," Maddon said. "For me, the six-man, what I've done in the past, it's normally been post-All-Star break. ... I don't think these guys really need it yet. That's part of it, I think, is need. I think they would like to get into a regular slot without the extra days, too. So, I don't think the discussion's going to be based on six-man right now."

Cubs to recognize Honorary Bat Girl

MLB revealed the 30 recipients of the Honorary Bat Girl honor as part of its annual "Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative to raise awareness and money for the disease. For the Cubs, Kristen Hall of Chicago will be recognized during Sunday's Mother's Day game against the Brewers at Wrigley Field.

Hall was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2018, learning the news while attending a Cubs game with her husband on their wedding anniversary. She was also pregnant with twins at the time. Hall underwent surgery and treatment and was deemed cancer-free on Feb. 21. Her story, and those of the other women being honored, can be found at HonoraryBatGirl.com.

This year, MLB has partnered with CrowdRise by GoFundMe to host a fundraising contest for each Honorary Bat Girl as part of the Mother's Day initiative. The winner will receive a trip to the World Series and all the funds will be donated to Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen.

Worth noting

• Cubs backup catcher Victor Caratini (10-day injured list, left hand) completed his first Minor League rehab assignment Monday, going 1-for-2 with a double, while catching the first four innings of a no-hitter for Class A South Bend. Caratini, who is three weeks removed from hamate bone surgery, was scheduled to play again for South Bend on Tuesday. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he could return to the Cubs by the end of the current homestand.

"It's incredible," Maddon said. "I saw [him take batting practice]. My God. It was like normal. There was nothing being held back. He said, 'Watch this, I'm going to go in the seats.' And then he'd wind up and he'd go. Like, come on. There was no grimace, there was no holding back, there was nothing. It's pretty amazing how quickly he's come back."

• Second baseman Daniel Descalso (sore left ankle) remained out of the starting lineup Tuesday, marking his third game in a row on the bench. Descalso pinch-hit Monday and was available to do so again Tuesday, but Maddon was not sure when the veteran would return to the lineup.

• Prior to Tuesday's game, the Cubs announced that outfielder Ben Zobrist was scratched from the lineup due to personal reasons. Kyle Schwarber replaced Zobrist as Chicago's left fielder and No. 8 hitter against the Marlins.