La Stella was batting .295 when he was optioned to make room for outfielder Chris Coghlan on the 25-man roster. Instead of reporting to Triple-A Iowa, La Stella went home. The Cubs placed him on the temporarily inactive list.
La Stella, who would be added Sept. 1 when rosters expand, will have to get some at-bats in the Minor Leagues, Maddon said. Iowa's season ends Sept. 5.
"There is enough time, but he's got to go do that," Maddon said. "There is enough time for him to do that and get ready for September."
• The Cubs have yet to announce who will start the first game of Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Brewers.