Cubs activate Cabrera from IL, shift him to bullpen

The Cubs reinstated Edward Cabrera from the 15-day injured list Saturday, with manager Craig Counsell moving the right-hander to the bullpen for now.

In a related move, the Cubs placed righty Trent Thornton on the 15-day IL with a left ankle sprain.

Cabrera went on the injured list on Aug. 17 with a right middle finger blister, a condition that has vexed him, then made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa.

The 28-year-old Cabrera, acquired from Miami in an offseason trade, is 5-5 with a 5.68 ERA in 76 innings over 15 games, all starts. This was Cabrera's third stint on the IL this season and followed one for a left hamstring/adductor strain suffered on June 23 in New York, when he was hurt doing a split while stretching for a throw as he covered first base, an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months.

Thornton is 5-5 with three saves and a 3.35 ERA in 48⅓ innings over 48 relief appearances.