Reinforcements arrive
Aramis Ramirez returned today from the Dominican Republic, and Reed Johnson came off the DL, meaning the Cubs have two key players back. They sent Eric Patterson back to Iowa.
Carlos Zambrano will pitch tomorrow's game at St. Louis _ the Cubs already have sent him ahead. If the X-rays on left fielder Alfonso Soriano's broken left hand check out OK, he'll begin taking batting practice this weekend down by the Arch. Look for pitcher Jose Ascanio to be sent to Iowa when the Cubs activate Big Z.
The Cubs have been holding their own since the spate of injuries hit them. They've got a tough test late this afternoon in the Giants' Tim Lincecum before heading to St. Louis to face the "surprising" Cardinals. Actually, the Cubs are in pretty good shape in both the division and wild-card races. The Diamondbacks lead the putrid NL West with a 42-43 record, so don't look for the wild card to come from out west. The Marlins (44-40) are second to the Phillies in the East.
Lou wasted little time shuffling things up:
Johnson, LF
Fukudome, RF
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Edmonds, CF
Soto, C
DeRosa, 2B
Theriot, SS
Gallagher P
Sight seen: Lou stopping by Carlos Marmol's locker to chat with him in Spanish about "concentrating" more on mound. The conversation appeared pleasant, and it looked a lot less ominous than Marmol being summoned into the manager's office.
Hopefully Zambrano will not be so amped up in his first start back that he has to throw gatoraide containers around...Since Lou wants Lilly and Marshall, leftiies against the Cardinals, I'd send Gallagher down after tonights start and keep Ascanio in the bullpen. Better to send a starter out than putting him in the pen. With Stevie on the DL and Lou wont use Wuertz need a short guy.. (Gallagher is not fairing well tonight)..Lou's "nice conversation" with Marmol, "Que es con tu cabesa?, trabajar para 'strikes' , no mas no menos". My Spanish needs help..sorry..Lincecum is dealing, looks to be a long night.