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 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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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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