Just ahead of a key six-game homestand, the Cubs on Monday optioned infielder David Bote to Class AAA Iowa.
The move is expected to correspond with Tuesday’s anticipated return from the injured list of top setup man Steve Cishek, who has missed the last 10 days because of a hip injury.
The Cubs open a three-game series Tuesday against Jeff Samardzija and the wild-card-hopeful Giants. The homestand concludes with a three-game weekend series against the National League wild-card-leading Washington Nationals.
Bote, who signed a five-year, $15 million contract the first week of the season, is hitting .