22 Matt Garza, SP

Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza is set to make his first start of the season Tuesday against the Pirates, and he is understandably excited to be over his lat injury.

"I'm happy I don't have to rehab again," he told the Chicago Sun-Times Saturday. "I just had to refresh some stuff from spring training, got the rust off. I feel great, ready to go Tuesday and can't wait."

Garza has not pitched in a major-league game since July 28, when he was shut down with a stress reaction in his right elbow. He admitted to being a bit worried when he first took the mound in Double-A Tennessee, his first competitive action in eight months.

"The only time I was nervous was when I made my first rehab in Tennessee," he said. "The first couple pitches I was a little worried, but then it was fine. Ever since then, there's been no doubt in my mind."

Garza threw six strong innings in his last rehab start, and he needed just 75 pitches to do so. The team expects him to be ready for a full workload quickly. 

The Cubs are expected to activate Matt Garza off the disabled list to start Tuesday at Pittsburgh opposite Wandy Rodriguez. Carlos Villanueva will move back to the bullpen, the Daily Herald reports.

Garza, who has been out all year with a lat injury, threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum told reporters the team has yet to make a decision on Matt Garza's activation from the disabled list, after he threw his fourth rehab start Thursday.

The team plans to have a decision made after Garza throws a bullpen session Saturday. None of the Cubs' starters have been told they are moving to the bullpen at this point. Despite throwing just 75 pitches over six innings Thursday, Sveum said he does not think Garza's durability will be a concern whenever he is capable of coming back. 

"That's the last thing we have to worry about with him," he said. 

The Cubs have yet to make a decision, but Matt Garza has made up his mind; he's ready.

"I don't need another start down here," Garza told the Des Moines Register after Thursday's rehab start for Triple-A Iowa. "There's no reason for me to stay in the Minor Leagues."

Garza has been out all season due to a strained lat muscle, but has now made four minor-league rehab starts, including two at Triple-A. The Cubs plan to re-evaluate Garza before making a decision, according to MLB.com.

"I don't need another one here," Garza said. "They might differ on opinion but I think all in all, it comes down to what I want and the way I feel. The organization — they're going to make the call at the end of the day but I think we're going to collaborate and come to some sort of compromise."

One possible hurdle for Garza is he only needed 75 pitches over six innings Thursday, and the team wanted him to throw at least 85 in his final rehabilitation start. 

Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza turned in a brilliant rehab start at Triple-A Iowa Thursday, pitching six shutout innings while allowing just two hits, walking none and striking out six. Garza threw 75 pitches and appears close to returning to the Cubs.