Detroit, MI -- (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs activated third baseman Ryan Freel off the 15-day disabled list on Thursday and placed center fielder Reed Johnson on the 15-day DL.

Freel had been on the DL since late May with a strained left hamstring while Johnson, whose DL move was retroactive to June 21, is suffering from lower back spasms.

The Cubs acquired Freel from the Orioles on May 8 in a trade that sent minor league outfielder Joey Gathright to Baltimore. In 10 games with Chicago prior to going on the DL, he had three hits in 18 at-bats (.167).

Johnson has appeared in 43 games for the Cubs this season and is batting .268 with four home runs and 16 RBI.