Ian Stewart (quad) was the designated hitter in an extended spring training game on Saturday.

It was his first bit of game action since March 14. Stewart is expected to begin playing the field in the next few days and should be activated from the DL before the end of the month as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. "You're looking at two weeks to three weeks," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

Cubs placed 3B Ian Stewart on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad.

Stewart remains at least a week away from playing in games again. He'll stay in extended spring training to rehab while Luis Valbuena handles third base.

Ian Stewart (quad) is at least two weeks away from a rehab assignment.

It's sounding like he'll likely miss most, if not all, of April. The Cubs will go with Luis Valbuena at third base until Stewart is ready.

Ian Stewart (quad) has been ruled out for Opening Day.

Stewart recently underwent an MRI, which showed fluid in his left quad. The Cubs could save $1.5 million of Stewart's $2 million contract if they cut him before Opening Day, but they'll likely keep him around and place him on the disabled list. Luis Valbuena is poised to open the season as the starting third baseman, but he's not worth owning in most fantasy leagues.

Ian Stewart is still awaiting MRI results on his ailing left quad.

Stewart hasn't played since a minor league game last Thursday and the pain has yet to subside. "I just tried to run, and can't run, can't get through the running part," said Stewart. "That's really the last hurdle. I can hit, take grounders, I just can't run." Regardless of the results, Luis Valbuena appears likely to open the season as the Cubs' starting third baseman.

Ian Stewart will undergo another MRI Monday on his ailing left quad.

Stewart returned to game action recently, but he evidently had a setback. Even if the MRI doesn't reveal anything terribly serious, Stewart is now a big longshot to be ready for Opening Day. With Josh Vitters optioned Sunday, it's looking like Luis Valbuena will be the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman.

Ian Stewart (quad) said he's confident he has enough time left in camp to be ready for the start of the season.

Stewart appeared in a minor league game for the first time in three weeks Thursday, and is close to being cleared for Cactus League games. If he can avoid setbacks, Stewart has a chance to be ready by Opening Day. The Cubs are expecting him to begin the season on the disabled list.

Ian Stewart (quad) is a little sore after appearing in a minor league game Thursday but is slated to play in another one this weekend.

It's possible he'll move to Cactus League games after that. Stewart needs to kick it into high gear if he wants to be ready by Opening Day. If he's not ready, he's expected to begin the season on the DL rather than get released.

Ian Stewart (quad) is scheduled to play in a minor league game on Thursday afternoon in Cubs camp.

It will be his first live game since he injured a quadriceps muscle on February 21. He is expected to be unavailable for the start of the season, but Stewart could be back by mid-April if he avoids further setbacks.

Ian Stewart (quad) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday.

It was reported Sunday that his debut would be pushed back until the weekend, but evidently that's not the case. There had been speculation that Stewart's roster spot could be in trouble, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum thinks he can get in enough at-bats before Opening Day. He's expected to begin the year on the DL rather than get released if he's not ready in time.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Ian Stewart (quad) is likely to make the Cubs even if he starts the season on the disabled list.

There was speculation that Stewart's roster spot could be in jeopardy due to his lingering quad injury, but he's hoping to avoid the DL and return to games by next weekend. The Cubs could save $1.5 million if they release Stewart before the end of camp.

Ian Stewart's (quad) return has been pushed back until next weekend.

Stewart had been hoping to return on Friday, but it sounds like it could be at least Saturday or Sunday until we see him. The third baseman might be facing a big uphill battle at this point for a roster spot.

Ian Stewart (quad) could make his Cactus League debut Friday.

Stewart has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a quad injury that he suffered during an intrasquad game. He'll have two weeks to make an impression, as it's possible the Cubs will release him in order to save $1.5 million of his $2 million contract.

Ian Stewart (quad), who has been sidelined for the past three weeks, feels like he is just days away from returning to game action.

Stewart has been able to hit in the batting cages for the past 5-6 days, and has recently progressed to fielding and throwing drills. With only a few weeks left in camp, time is running out for Stewart to compete against Luis Valbuena and Josh Vitters for the Cubs third base job.

Ian Stewart (quad) isn't expected to resume hitting for another week.

Stewart has already been sidelined for a week, and it sounds like it could be mid-March before he appears in a game. It could make it difficult for him to nail down the Cubs' third base job. "If he gets on the field too late in spring training it will be difficult to get enough at-bats to evaluate (him) when everyone else is getting their at-bats," manager Dale Sveum said.

An MRI confirmed that Ian Stewart is dealing with a "mild to moderate" quad strain.

Ian Stewart will receive a precautionary MRI on his ailing quad.

The Cubs don't think the ailment is more than a day-to-day thing, but they want to be safe. Stewart is expected to open 2013 as the club's third baseman after hitting just .201/.292/.335 in 55 games in 2012 prior to undergoing wrist surgery.

Ian Stewart is day-to-day with a quadriceps strain.

Cubs skipper Dale Sveum described the injury as "mild, slight." Stewart should be fine after a few days of rest.

Ian Stewart (wrist) confirmed he's fully healthy for the first time in more than two years.

"It's been a few years," Stewart said. "The last time I was fully healthy was 2010. But even then, I missed the last month with an oblique injury. The last few years has been a lingering wrist issue and I really believe I've got it taken care of." Stewart, who batted just .201/.292/.335 in 55 games this past season prior to undergoing wrist surgery, will go into spring training as the favorite for the Cubs' third base job. He'll face competition from Josh Vitters and Luis Valbuena.

Cubs re-signed 3B Ian Stewart to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Stewart could earn an additional $500,000 with incentives. He's guaranteed a little less than what he figured to make in arbitration, but he could earn a little more if he reaches his incentives. It's a pretty fair deal all around and a risk the Cubs can afford to take.