The Chicago Cubs lost 8-3 to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday as the two teams split a four game series out in San Francisco.  The Cubs were right in the game until the the seventh inning when Carlos Marmol gave up a three run home run to Rich Aurilia.  Something is wrong with Marmol like we have blogged about before.  I just hope the kid can make it to the all stat break and get a much needed rest.  He needs rest for the body and the mind I’m afraid.

Sean Gallagher had one bad inning where he gave up four runs.  He was only charged with three runs however as one of the runs scored unearned due to a Cubs error.  Gallagher is now 3-4 and could be moved to the bullpen soon.

Jose Ascanio gave up two runs while Jon Lieber gave up one run.  The Cubs pitchers just didn’t have it going on the mound.  Hopefully they weren’t thinking ahead to the big weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mark DeRosa had two rbi to lead the Cubs at the plate. DeRosa doubled in the sixth inning to score Derrek Lee and Jim Edmonds.  Lee had the Cubs first rbi in the first inning when he scored Reed Johnson.  It was nice to see Johnson make his return to the lineup as he went 1-3.

To make room for Johnson on the roster, the Cubs sent Eric Patterson back down to Triple A Iowa.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe July 4th tomorrow and we can all sit down and watch the Cubs beat the Cardinals!

Well I’m sure all the Cubs fans out there have heard that Alfonso Soriano was hit by a pitch in last nights game against the Atlanta Braves and will be out the disabled list for a while.  Soriano broke a finger on his left hand, and then finger will be in a splint for the next three weeks atleast.  Expect Soriano to be out until around August.

So what will the Cubs do now?  Start Mark DeRosa in left field and give Mike Fontenot that majority of the starts at second base?  What about giving Ronny Cedeno some time at second base?  Micah Hoffpauir looks to be the guy that will get called up to take Soriano’s spot on the roster and he can see some time at left field as well as first base and DH in the upcoming interleage matchups.

Another name to look out for would be Eric Patterson.  We could see Patterson being called up along with Hoffpauir and a reliver sent back down to the minor leagues as the Cubs will need an extra batagainst the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend.

Ok, this move is a little confusing I think.  The Chicago Cubs have sent down Jose Ascanio to Triple-A Iowa and called up Neal Cotts.  Reports are saying that Lou Piniella doesn’t fully trust Scott Eyre down in the bullpen and wanted to get another lefty in there.

Ok, so Ascanio throws the ball very well when given the chance and he still gets sent down for a player who has struggled in the past with the big league team?  I don’t quite understand the move, but half the time us Cubs fans don’t know what Hendry and company are really thinking.

What do you think of this move?

Daryle Ward has been place on the 15 day disabled list with a bulging disk in his back.  Ward is hitting just .200 (5-for-25) but has come up big as a pinch-hitter in this homestand, despite his back pain, coming up with game-tying and game-winning hits against Arizona in consecutive games.

Micah Hoffpauir has been called up to take Ward’s spot on the roster.  Hoffpauir can play the corner outfield positions as well as first base but I would expect most of his at bats to come as a pitch hitter just like Ward has done.

If you want to see what some of the Cubs minor league players look like, then you will want to get out to Wrigley Field on July 29th when the Peoria Cheifs play the Kane County Cougars.  It is believed to be the first ever minor league game to be played at historic Wrigley Field.

Tickets are on sale now at Cubs.com if you would like to go.  Ryne Sandberg will be coaching the Peoria Cheifs so make sure you get out there early and possibly get an autograph by the former Cubs second basemen.

Let us know if you plan on going!  It would be great for your entire family to spend a day at Wrigley Field!

The redhead is back with the Chicago Cubs!  Matt Murton was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Friday and Eric Patterson was sent back down to Triple-A.  Patterson was called up after the Alfonso Soriano injury and went 0-6.

We will see if Murton gets any starts out in left field or if he will come off the bench like most people are thinking.  If he can hit the ball and get on base I think he is a better option in left field then Mark DeRosa, who is better suited at second base.

What does everyone else think?

The Chicago Cubs trimmed their spring training roster down by three spots on Thursday.  Sean Gallagher and Jose Ascanio were sent to Triple-A Iowa while Josh Kroeger was re-assigned to the teams minor league camp.

Gallagher is a guy that will probably be called up at some point in the season.  That is if he isn’t traded before hand.  Gallagher is a key player in any trade that happens for Brian Roberts of the Orioles so who knows if he will make another pitcher for the big league Cubs.

The spring roster now has 38 players, and includes 19 pitchers, three catchers, 10 infielders and six outfielders.

The Chicago Cubs made a round of roster cuts today to get their spring training roster down to 50.  The two most notable players to be send down were Tyler Colvin and Billy Petrick. Petrick was sent to Triple A Iowa, while Colvin was sent to minor league camp.

Other players sent to the minor league camp included Esmailin Caridad, Jose Ceda, Geoff Jones, Andres Torres, Bobby Scales, Wellington Castillo, and Josh Donaldson.

With the moves, the Cubs’ spring roster now is 50, and consists of 26 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and eight outfielders. 

The Cubs optioned shortstop Ronny Cedeno to Triple-A Iowa and designated catcher Koyie Hill for assignment after the game against the Cardinals on Monday.  It is being rumored that Cliff Floyd and Henry Blanco will replace them on the active roster.

Floyd is back with the team after being with his family during his fathers health problems and death.  Floyd says that it is great being back with the team, and a much needed relief at this time.

Blanco joins the team after having some back and neck problems which has kept him out most of the season.  He was 2-10 during a minor league rehab which isn’t that great but we know he is on the team for his defense more then his offense.

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The Chicago Cubs today selected left-handed pitcher Carmen Pignatiello and recalled infielder/outfielder Jake Fox from Triple-A Iowa. In corresponding moves, right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher and infielder Eric Patterson were optioned to Iowa. To make room for Pignatiello on the 40-man roster, catcher Henry Blanco has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

I think we can pretty much assume with “Hank White��? going to the 60-day DL his year is finished.  With Fox coming up, the Cubs are hoping to add a little bit more pop to the lineup.  How many chances will he get though?  That is what I want to know.

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