Kris Bryant is headed for a mini-tour of the Midwest.
His rehab stint will take him to Omaha, where the Triple-A Iowa Cubs play on Monday night, and then to Des Moines for several home games. Or perhaps only 1-2 home games. It will depend on how Bryant's left shoulder responds to the activity.
After seeing Bryant launch nearly a dozen home runs Sunday morning in batting practice, manager Joe Maddon said he's not worried about Bryant's hitting stroke.
"How does he feel?" Maddon said. "When you haven't done that in a while, you get sore, man. You get sore just standing on third base or in left field. You have to work through the soreness and stiffness. As he works though that, that will tell us a lot."
Maddon said Bryant will play both third base and in the outfield to give the Cubs more flexibility upon his return.
And Maddon made it clear that if Bryant is ready for a promotion before the rosters expand Saturday, the team will find a way to accommodate.
One other development: Right-hander Alec Mills has earned a second start, Wednesday against the Mets. With Mike Montgomery expected to get the ball Thursday in Atlanta (a makeup date), the team will expand to a six-man rotation.
Maddon said it could be for one turn. Or if Mills pitches well, it certainly could continue. The Cubs' next scheduled day off is Sept. 13, and Maddon is eager not to overtax his starters.
