» Soriano back; Wood delayed; Samardzija coming?
Soriano back; Wood delayed; Samardzija coming?
Posted by Bruce on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 19:52
The Cubs went back to taking batting practice this evening as Lou rescinded his ban on BP that lasted one day.
Soriano is off the DL and back in the lineup at leadoff. The Cubs actived Soriano and Scott Eyre and sent Micah Hoffpauir and Kevin Hart to Iowa.
The news isn't so great on Kerry Wood. The closer will see another specialist in Chicago tomorrow to find out why the blister on his right index finger isn't healing. I look for the Cubs to put Wood on the DL today?
So who would come up? How about Jeff Samardzija. Assistant GM Randy Bush said that's "conceivable" and that Samardzija has pitched himself into the picture at Iowa. The Cubs would use Samardzija out of the pen, but not as closer. Those duties would fall to Carlos Marmol. If nothing else, Samardzija would give Lou the "power arm" he likes coming out of the pen. The Cubs brass likes the progress the former Notre Dame football star has made in becoming a pitcher and not just a thrower. Samardzija has watched film of himself and other pitchers to help him with mechanics and how to hide the ball better.
The lineup:
Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Soto, C
Fukudome, RF
DeRosa, 2B
Johnson, CF
Lilly, P
The stats aren't too hot on this road trip:
DeRosa: 3-for-16
Lee: 3-for-21
Ramirez: 0-for-20
Soto: 1-for-19
Jim Edmonds isn't available. Jimmy Ballgame will have an MRI on his left knee tomorrow in Chicago. Lou says Edmonds couldn't "push off" at the plate last night.