Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano headed to DL
By GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com May 31, 2011 11:40PM
Cubs outfielder Marlin Byrd joins the team for batting practice before the Chicago Cubs host the Houston Astros Tuesday May 31, 2011 at Wrigley Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
TODAY
ASTROS AT CUBS
1:20 p.m., Ch. 9, 720-AM
Brett Myers (1-4, 5.11 ERA) vs. Doug Davis (0-3, 6.75)
Myers vs. Cubs: 11-3, 2.15
Starlin Castro: 4-for-16
Kosuke Fukudome: 2-for-14
Carlos Pena: 1-for-8
Davis vs. Astros: 3-11, 4.59
Clint Barnes: 3-for-11
Carlos Lee: 7-for-13
Hunter Pence: 1-for-2
Updated: September 11, 2011 12:22AM
It may not be official or intentional, but the Cubs’ youth movement is in full gear just two months into the season.
On Tuesday, when left fielder Alfonso Soriano (quadriceps) became the fifth Cub in 10 days to go on the disabled list, it left Kosuke Fukudome as the only outfielder on the active roster who hasn’t spent time in the minors this year.
The Cubs recalled Tyler Colvin from Class AAA Iowa, and he’ll start today, manager Mike Quade said. Colvin played all three outfield spots and first in 12 games for Iowa.
Meanwhile, Tony Campana started his sixth straight game in center in place of the injured Reed Johnson, who had replaced the injured Marlon Byrd.
Infielder Blake DeWitt, who took over for Soriano on Monday after Soriano pulled up with the injury running out a hit in the first inning, started Tuesday in left and could see more time there.
‘‘We’ll mix and match and do some things,’’ said Quade, who included Colvin in his center-field mix. ‘‘Fuke’s done a real good job in right, and I’ll probably try to leave him there.’’
The Cubs say they don’t think Soriano’s injury is serious enough to keep him on the DL longer than the required 15 days. Soriano is hitting .271 and leads the team in home runs (12) and RBI (29).
‘‘No excuses, but sure, it’s frustrating,’’ Quade said. ‘‘But kids will get some opportunities.’’
Colvin, who followed a 20-homer rookie season by slumping to .113 this year before getting sent down, said he’s more comfortable at the plate and ready for any position any day.
‘‘And hopefully, having these young guys here is going to help us out, maybe give us a little spark,’’ Colvin said, ‘‘and we can win some games.’’
Garza delayed
The Cubs are pushing back the return of starter Matt Garza (elbow bruise) from this weekend in St. Louis to tentatively Monday in Cincinnati.
‘‘I think we’re just being cautious — maybe overcautious. But that’s OK with me,’’ said Quade, who said there have been no glitches in Garza’s recovery.
Garza is expected to throw an extra bullpen session before his return.
The new schedule allows the Cubs to bring back Carlos Zambrano, who started Tuesday, on his regular rest Sunday instead of having him miss the Cardinals series.
Six? Yeah, right
Quade won’t say what the plans are for dropping a starter when Garza returns, but going with a six-man rotation is not an option. Never mind the fact that the Cubs don’t have six pitchers performing well enough to make it a serious conversation.
‘‘I have no desire to do that,’’ Quade said. ‘‘That would be the furthest thing from my mind.’’
Rami-Pena switch
Part of the fallout from the outfield injuries is that all the fill-ins are left-handed hitters, prompting Quade to drop Aramis Ramirez from the cleanup spot to fifth.
‘‘I’m actually glad that he’s taking that kind of step,’’ said Ramirez, who homered Sunday for the first time since early April. ‘‘It’s not about Ramirez. It’s about what’s best for the team, and he feels that’s what’s best for the team. I’m fine with it.’’
