CHICAGO -- With right fielder Yasiel Puig back in the Reds¡¯ lineup Friday vs. the Cubs after he missed two games with a right shoulder injury, the club decided to option backup outfielder Phillip Ervin to Triple-A Louisville and recall right-handed reliever Matt Bowman.

The move returned Cincinnati to an eight-man bullpen.

¡°For the majority of the season, we¡¯ve had that number of relievers,¡± Reds manager David Bell said. ¡°We like having it that way. Now that Puig¡¯s back, it made sense to get Bowman back. I know Matt really well. He can pitch in, really, any situation. They extended him enough times in Triple-A that we know he can go multiple innings, if needed. Then again, he¡¯s also a guy I wouldn¡¯t hesitate to use in a big spot.¡±

Bowman was previously called up May 1 but did not pitch and was sent back down on May 3. On Nov. 2, he was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals after he posted a 4.10 ERA over 156 games in three seasons. At Louisville, he is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA, 18 hits, 12 walks and 22 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in 16 games.

¡°That¡¯s like I¡¯ve been throughout my whole big league career. I have some flexibility -- come in for a batter or come in for multiple innings,¡± said Bowman, who worked 1 1/3 perfect innings in his Reds debut in Friday's 6-5 win. ¡°That¡¯s typically how I¡¯ve tried to prepare.¡±

Bell knows Bowman from his time as the bench coach for St. Louis and likes his familiarity of pitching against National League Central teams.

¡°I look at the scouting report before every series, but it certainly helps to have faced guys before and have a feel for what it¡¯s like to actually face them in a game,¡± Bowman said.

Starters TBA for doubleheader
The Reds have a day-night doubleheader scheduled for Monday vs. the Pirates in Cincinnati. The 7:10 p.m. ET game is makeup for the March 30 game that was postponed due to rain. For the first time this season, Cincinnati will need a starter besides its regular five-man rotation. It remains undecided, for now.

¡°We¡¯re still talking about that,¡± Bell said.

Both teams get a 26th man on their rosters for the doubleheader. The Reds could either call up a starter from Louisville, make one game a bullpen game or use Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo for the doubleheader and have someone else start Tuesday.

¡°We¡¯re trying to decide what¡¯s best for our bullpen and the best day for our starters to pitch,¡± Bell said.

Remodeled clubhouse
One of the oldest and smallest places in the Major Leagues -- Wrigley Field¡¯s visitors¡¯ clubhouse -- got a face lift during the offseason. It¡¯s been slightly expanded for the players. The manager¡¯s office was relocated to a different spot.

¡°It¡¯s so much better. Having a window, I never saw that,¡± Bell said. ¡°It¡¯s great until [the fans] find out this is the manager¡¯s office. For now, it¡¯s nice.¡±