In a flurry of roster moves today, the Chicago Cubs bolstered their beleaguered bullpen and simultaneously set expectations on Jacob Turner’s elbow injury.

With Chris Denorfia back from his hamstring injury, it was slightly less necessary for the Cubs to keep Matt Szczur on the roster – for now – so he’s been optioned back to Iowa.

In his place, the Cubs add righty Gonzalez Germen, a highly-intriguing reliever whom the Cubs picked up this offseason after a lot of waiver wire maneuvering.

The 40-man roster was full, and Germen wasn’t on it. So, to open up the spot for Germen, the Cubs transferred Jacob Turner (bone bruise and flexor strain in elbow) to the 60-day disabled list. That means Turner, who’s not yet throwing competitively at extended Spring Training, won’t be eligible to return to the Cubs until May 27, at the earliest. Given where he appears to be in his recovery and readiness for the season, though, he wasn’t likely to be ready by then anyway.

The Cubs’ official release on the move, by the way, says that Turner is recovering from right shoulder inflammation. That sounds, then, like he had gotten over the elbow issue, but separately developed a shoulder issue. That’s the first I’m hearing about that.

UPDATE: Looks like the original roster announcement – for Opening Day, I mean – also listed Turner as on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. He was originally shut down for an elbow issue (he got multiple opinions on it, even), but the shoulder issue must’ve popped up in the interim. At least, like Neil Ramirez, it’s just inflammation. Still, it muddies his recovery timeline a little.

Szczur, who will now get regular starts at Iowa, will not be eligible to return to the Cubs for 10 days, unless he winds up replacing an injured player.