Major League Baseball

Cubs' La Stella refuses to report to minors

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHICAGO (AP) Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella has refused to report to Triple-A Iowa after being optioned to the minors nearly two weeks ago, and Chicago has placed him on the temporary inactive list.

La Stella started for the Cubs in last year's wild-card playoff victory over Pittsburgh. He was optioned to the minors on July 29 when Chicago activated outfielder Chris Coghlan off the disabled list.

The left-handed hitting La Stella is batting .295 with a .388 on-base percentage in 105 at-bats with the Cubs. Chicago said Tuesday that he didn't take the demotion well.

General manager Jed Hoyer says they ''decided to give him time'' and that he's a ''27-year-old kid working through some stuff.'' La Stella will continue to get paid while he's on the inactive list.

Manager Joe Maddon said he's communicated by text message with La Stella, who was back home in New Jersey working out.