ST.LOUIS -- The Chicago Cubs recalled reliever Yoervis Medina from Triple-A Iowa and activated righty Neil Ramirez from the disabled list on Tuesday, bolstering their bullpen for the stretch run.

“It’s been tough but I’m happy to be back,” Ramirez said before the Cubs played the Cardinals. “The arm feels good.”

Ramirez was down with a shoulder injury earlier this season then hurt an oblique. It’s been somewhat of a lost season for the Cubs' best reliever from last year and he’s still not fully back to what he was. He’s appeared in just 13 games after producing a 1.44 ERA last year in 50 outings.

“I’m as good as I’m going to be,” Ramirez said. “I don’t know if that’s full force at this point, but I feel like I can go out there and compete. I feel like I can let it go.”

That doesn’t necessarily sound like a reliever ready to dominate in a pennant race but he’s not worried about radar gun readings as much as he is competing. Ramirez has battled a tender shoulder and even in his return before the oblique ailment he wasn’t throwing as hard as he’s used to.

“It’s been frustrating this year,” Ramirez said. “I don’t understand why this has happened but it’s just been a tough year.”

Manager Joe Maddon likely won't use Ramirez or Medina in a crucial spot until they can prove themselves in less critical situations.

“As long as my pitches have the life and carry through the zone … I should be fine,” Ramirez said.