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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Felix Pie was called up to the Chicago Cubs for the third time this season after the Cubs placed outfielder Angel Pagan on the disable list.  I have to wonder if this is just a move to get Pie on the roster to spark up some excitment.  Is Pagan really hurt?  Either way Pie is better then Pagan.

Look for Pie to get most of the starts in centerfield, Matt Murton and Eric Patterson playing left field, and Jacque Jones / Cliff Floyd in right field until Alfonso Soriano comes back.

The Chicago Cubs made some roster moves today as Alfonso Soriano was sent to the 15 day disabled list because of the right quad injury he sustained in last nights game as he was running towards third base.  Soriano will likely be gone longer then 15 days based on his injury, only time will tell however.

Eric Patterson will be taking Soriano’s spot on the roster right now.  Patterson is the younger brother of Corey Patterson who also played for the Cubs.  Patterson was batting .299 at Triple-A Iowa with 14 homers, 23 doubles, 62 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has primarily hit leadoff all season, batting .300 in the No. 1 spot in the order with a .365 on-base percentage.  He mostly plays second base, but has been played in the outfield the last 10 games in the minor leagues.

I don’t know why this move was made rather then calling up Felix Pie.  Pie has some more experience in the big leagues then Patterson.  I would rather have Pie on the roster down the playoff hunt then I would Patterson just because Patterson isn’t a true OF, and hasn’t played one game in the big leagues yet.  The only thing I can’t think of why they made this move is because they feel Patterson is more of a lead off hitter then Pie.

The Cubs also put Wade Miller on waivers today and DFA’d Brian Dopirak.

Cubs shortstop Ronny Cedeno has been re-called from Triple A Iowa and will be in uniform for tonights game in St. Louis.  Cedeno, who hit .097 in 14 games after starting the season with the Cubs, was leading the Pacific Coast League with a .360 average and has 10 home runs with 32 RBIs in 65 games at Iowa.

I would expect to see Ryan Theriot play most of the time, but Cedeno can play as his backup or even move Theriot to 2nd base and play Cedeno at short to get another right handed bat in the lineup when needed.

Hopefully Cedeno’s time at Triple A and getting his swing back will help him out in the Big Leagues.  If he doesn’t hit, you can’t put him in there when you have Theriot and Mike Fontentot who have been pretty good.

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Another minor leaguer brought up today as Scott Moore was recalled from Triple A Iowa to fill in for Daryle Ward who has been placed on the disabled list because of his calf injury he sustained yesterday.  Sounds like Moore is going to be starting first base today for the team as they open a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Lets hope for error free ball from Moore, and possibly a few hits!

Ryan Dempster is also back with the team after throwing in a couple of minor league games for the Iowa Cubs.  Sean Gallagher was sent back to Triple A where he will once again be in their rotation of starting pitchers.  So do you throw Dempster right back in there in the closers role? I don’t until Bob Howry blows one to be honest.  What do you think?  Dempster or Howry for closer?

The Chicago Cubs called up Jake Fox last night from Double A Tennessee where he has been playing first base and the outfield.  A lot of people are asking why Jake Fox? Well it seems like he could split some time in right field and also play some first base while Lee is out.  He does have some power as he has hit 18 homeruns in the minor leagues this year, but does strikeout quite a bit as well.

Other things people are talking about this morning is whos spot on the 40 man roster does Fox take?  Well Bruce Levine reported a bit ago that Cesar Izturis is very close to be traded so that would free up a spot.  We will see what happens as the day goes on.  Should know something in the next few hours for sure.

The Chicago Cubs on Thursday recalled righthander Sean Gallagher from Class AAA Iowa.This will mark Gallagher’s second stint in the majors, as he was 0-0 with a 9.53 ERA in three relief appearances in June. The 21-year-old made his debut on June 9 by tossing 3 1/3 innings at Atlanta.

In a corresponding roster move, righthander Billy Petrick was optioned to Iowa. Petrick, 23, had no record with a 3.18 ERA in four relief appearances with the Cubs.

This is clearly just a move to get a fresh arm in the bullpen to help out this weekend.  Expect another move to be made when the team comes back after the All Star break especially if Ryan Dempster is ready to go.

Hearing a lot of rumors on the Internet today that Jacque Jones will be traded today/this evening as the Cubs have called up Billy Petrick.  Petrick is a reliver who the Cubs can really use as the Howry and Eyre need to take a few days off to rest their arms.

Is Jones getting released or traded? We will keep you updated!

Aramis Ramirez has been activated off the disabled list today and to make room for him on the roster the Cubs sent pitcher Sean Gallagher down to Triple A Iowa.

It will be nice to see Aramis back in the lineup.  Hopefully he can give the offense a spark and we can sweet the White Sox away this weekend!