Cubs activate Garza from DL

May 21, 2013 - 9:35 PM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza will return to a major league mound for the first time in 10 months on Tuesday, with the team reinstating the right-hander from the 15-day disabled list to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Garza was shut down last July with a stress reaction in his right elbow, then sustained a strained left lat muscle during spring training that has sidelined him since March.

The 29-year-old has made four rehab starts between Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee to prep for Tuesday's assignment, allowing just two runs and 10 hits through a combined 15 1/3 innings over those outings.

Garza went 5-7 with a 3.91 earned run average in 18 starts prior to being shelved last season.

To make room for Garza on the active roster, the Cubs designated pitcher Michael Bowden for assignment. The 26-year-old Illinois native posted a 1-2 record with a 3.78 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season.