Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Expected back within week

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Merryweather (ribs) is on track to return by next weekend "at the latest," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather has allowed one run with a 3:0 K:BB over three innings on his rehab assignment and will make a fourth appearance Friday, this one with Triple-A Iowa. He's been out since early April with a rib stress fracture but should quickly rejoin Chicago's high-leverage crew once activated.