Jon Lester

Jon Lester (shoulder/lat) expected to return Saturday for Cubs

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester (shoulder/lat) is expected to return from the disabled list on Saturday for a start against the Atlanta Braves.

What It Means:

Lester went down on August 17 with left shoulder fatigue and left lat tightness, but it sounds like he's good to go after throwing a successful 50-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Mike Montgomery has been named the starter for Sunday's matchup with the Braves, so he will stick around for at least one more turn in the rotation.

Prior to injury, Lester posted a 4.37 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 24.9 strikeout percentage across 148 1/3 innings this season while going 8-7 in 26 starts. Moving forward, numberFire's models project him to turn in a 3.85 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 22.1 strikeout percentage in 35 more innings.