Esposito: Roster Shuffle Continues For The Cubs
By Mike Esposito
CHICAGO (CBS) - The Cubs get a much-needed arm in the starting rotation as Randy Wells was activated to make the start against the Pirates today at Wrigley Field. Wells had been on the DL with a right forearm strain. Wells won his only start of the season April 4th against Arizona. Casey Coleman, who had struggled filling in for Wells, was sent to AAA Iowa to make room for Wells on the roster. Cubs Manager Mike Quade said he hopes Coleman can get things straightened out and be back to the major leagues in short order.
Quade received some good news on the injury front as well, as catcher Geovanny Soto started last night in a rehab start at AA West Tenn. He could be back with the Cubs as soon as Monday. Pitcher Matt Garza, who landed on the 15 day DL with a bone contusion on his pitching elbow, is set to throw on the side Sunday, and if all goes well, he could come off of the DL to start next weekend in St. Louis. And while there is no official update on Marlon Byrd, who was hit in the eye with a pitch in Boston last weekend, the swelling is down on his eye but it remains to be seen when he might be able to come back.
One other note involving the starting rotation, Quade announced that veteran pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, just acquired from Atlanta, will start on Monday against Houston. Lopez had been 6-1 with the AAA affiliate for the Braves.
