Cubs activate Hamels for Saturday start

The Chicago Cubs activated left-hander Cole Hamels ahead of Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Hamels, who will start on Saturday, returns after missing five weeks because of a strained left oblique.

Hamels (6-3, 2.98 ERA) has been sidelined since walking off the field after throwing one warmup pitch before the second inning at the Cincinnati Reds on June 28. The 35-year-old Hamels will try to lead Chicago to its second straight win over Milwaukee after the Cubs posted a 6-2 victory in Friday's series opener.

In a corresponding move, right-hander Brad Brach was designated for assignment. Brach made 42 relief appearances this season, posting a 4-3 record with an ERA of 6.13. --Field Level Media