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ST. LOUIS — The Cubs had to adjust their starting rotation with left-hander Shota Imanaga set to be activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday. They did so by optioning right-hander Ben Brown to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
The move was tied to reliever Porter Hodge’s reinstatement from the 15-day IL, which will enable the Cubs to carry an extra bullpen arm for two days before Imanaga’s first start back.
‘‘Within your struggles, there’s growth,’’ manager Craig Counsell said he told Brown. ‘‘And you don’t know it at the time that it’s happening, but you are getting better.