Chicago Cubs activate outfielder Jason Heyward from disabled list

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward was activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday's afternoon game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field.

Heyward has been sidelined since June 18 with a hand injury sustained while sliding for a foul ball in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old was expected to start in right field and bat sixth in the lineup against the Rays, according to multiple reports.

Heyward is batting .258 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 56 games this season, his second with Chicago. He is hitting .262 with 110 homers and 430 RBIs in 1,032 career contests with the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Cubs.

Chicago also promoted left-hander Jack Leathersich from Iowa and optioned infielder Jeimer Candelario and right-hander Felix Pena to the Triple-A club.

Leathersich, 26, is making his return to the majors for the first time since 2015, when he made 17 relief appearances with the New York Mets before having Tommy John surgery.

Candelario is just 5-for-33 with one homer and three RBIs in 11 games this season with the Cubs.

Pena has a 1-0 mark and 4.50 ERA in 10 appearances this season with Chicago.