Jose Veras has been on the disabled list since late April with an oblique strain. He was suffering through an extremely rough start to the season before the injury (or maybe in tandem with the injury), so getting some rehab time and some rehab outings in the minors may have been good for him regardless.

Carrie Muskat reports that Veras is now on his way back to the Cubs:

Hearing Jose Veras has left @smokiesbaseball and was headed to St. Louis to join #Cubs. He started Tue, and threw 1 inning — Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) May 14, 2014

In 4 games w/@smokiesbaseball, Veras gave up 1H, 0 R, 2 BB and struck out 3 over 4 2/3 IP. He retired all 3 batters faced Tue nite. #Cubs — Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) May 14, 2014

If Veras is activated for tonight’s game – which he might not be, given that he pitched yesterday, and the Cubs could wait a day to activate him – the Cubs will have to send somebody out. Zac Rosscup and Brian Schlitter seem the most likely candidates, even though they’ve pitched relatively well.

Hopefully Veras has his control issues behind him, and comes out throwing strikes. Because if he struggles early, the cascade of displeasure from Cubs fans will follow him wherever he goes for the rest of the year. Further, if the Cubs hope Veras can reclaim even the tiniest semblance of trade value in advance of July 31, he’s pretty much going to have to dominate for the next two months (and look good doing it). I don’t think it’s likely at this point, but, hey, two months is a long time.

Until his early-season hiccup this year, it’s worth remembering, Veras was a fine late-inning reliever.