Montero (back) participated in early batting practice Monday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although he is eligible to return from the DL on Tuesday, the Cubs have not revealed their plans for Montero regarding a potential rehab stint before he's activated. A decision may hinge on how he feels coming out of Monday's batting practice session.

Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday that he's unsure if Montero (back) will require a rehab stint before coming off of the DL, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday, but the Cubs have not yet decided if they'll send him to a lower level for some extra reps before returning. The catcher took batting practice Thursday and hit multiple home runs, per Gonzales, so his back would appear to be improving, at least to some degree.

Montero (back) was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero has been dealing with tightness in his back over the last three days, and it's apparently more severe than originally anticipated. He'll miss at least the next two weeks, while David Ross and Tim Federowicz, who was recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, figure to share the catching duties in his absence.

Montero (back) remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Brewers, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero's back tightened up due to cold weather prior to Tuesday's game, and he'll now be on the bench for a second straight contest after Wednesday's matchup was rained out. David Ross, who took Montero's place Tuesday, will again be behind the plate catching Jake Arrieta, who's coming off of a no-hitter in his last start.

Montero (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Montero, who was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to the ailment, doesn't believe the issue is serious, but the Cubs will give him the day off regardless. David Ross will garner another start behind the dish in his stead.

Montero, who was scratched from Tuesday's lineup, said his back just tightened up in the cold weather and doesn't believe this will be a DL situation, CSN Chicago's Patrick Mooney reports.

EDGE Analysis

David Ross has started three of the last six games at catcher for the Cubs, as Montero's back, a .208 batting average and Ross' relationship with Jon Lester have contributed to make it an even split over the last week. However, Montero should turn things around at the dish, and is the Cubs catcher to own in single-season leagues.

Montero (back) has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero was initially in Tuesday's lineup but his back stiffened up on him throughout the course of the day. According to Rogers, Montero started feeling some back stiffness over the weekend but was able to play through it up until Tuesday. David Ross will take Montero's plate behind the plate Tuesday and Montero should be considered day-to-day heading into Wednesday.

Montero is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Montero will receive his typical day off with David Ross catching all of Jon Lester's starts. He will be available to pinch hit off the bench and is likely to return to the starting lineup for Saturday's game.

Montero is not in Thursday's lineup for the series opener against the Reds, Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero will get the day off after catching all three games against the Cardinals this week. With Jon Lester on the mound Friday, it is unlikely that Montero starts again until Saturday since David Ross is Lester's personal catcher.

Montero is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Montero did not start Saturday's game, and he will be held out Sunday for the second day in a row, which is not surprising considering fellow catcher David Ross is the personal catcher for Sunday's starter, Jon Lester. Montero owns an .882 OPS on the season, so he should be back in there Monday unless he is dealing with some sort of undisclosed issue.