Wrigley Rat

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/05/cubs-prospect-vitters-injured.html

Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed LHP Ryan Buchter on the 7-Day disabled list. - Tennessee Smokies activated RF Brandon Guyer from the 7-Day disabled list.

Peoria: - Peoria Chiefs placed RHP Jonathan Nagel on the 7-Day disabled list. Right arm stiffness. - Richard Jones assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Peoria Chiefs.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/may/24/in-closing-cishek-welcomes-chance/

Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed C Robinson Chirinos on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 25, 2010. - C Mark Reed assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. Daytona: - Daytona Cubs activated RHP David Patton. - C Luis Flores assigned to Daytona Cubs from Cubs Extended Spring Training.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled Jeff Stevens from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Iowa Cubs activated C Mark Johnson from the 7-Day disabled list. - Iowa Cubs placed C Welington Castillo on the 7-Day disabled list. - Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Justin Berg to Iowa Cubs. Daytona: - Daytona Cubs placed RHP David Patton on reserve list. Peoria: - Yohan Gonzalez assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks.

Iowa: - Jason Dubois has been activated from the 7-day DL. Tennessee: - Marquez Smith assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs. - Tennessee Smokies placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-Day disabled list.

Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed RHP Marcos Mateo on the 7-Day disabled list. - Tennessee Smokies activated LHP Jeremy Papelbon from the 7-Day disabled list. Peoria: - Nelson Perez assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Daytona Cubs. - Charles Thomas assigned to Peoria Chiefs from AZL Cubs. - Yohan Gonzalez assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks. - George Matheus assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Peoria Chiefs. - Andres Quezada assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Peoria Chiefs. BA: Released: RHP Toby Matchulat Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jeff Gray, 1B Chad Tracy Option transferred: RHP Marcos Mateo (Triple-A to Double-A) Added to 40-man roster: SS Starlin Castro Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Corey Martin, RHP Mike Parisi, RHP David Patton, C Mark Johnson Reinstated from DL: RHP Corey Martin, RHP Jon Nagel, OF Brandon Guyer In a quality middle-infield rookie class, Castro stands above the fray. The 20-year-old hasn't missed a beat since his promotion from Double-A, batting .364/.417/.636 with a double, a triple and a home run in six games with the Cubs. Other rookie middle infielders of note: Alcides Escobar, Ian Desmond, Scott Sizemore and Reid Brignac

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter. What are you talking about? Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response: (1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!". (2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45). Please let me know if you need more clarification. How has Zambrano done a better job in the bullpen? Hes pitched in 7 2/3 innnings for the Cubs since going to the bullpen almost 3 weeks ago. 2 of those innings were in blowouts so Zambrano has pitched in 5 meaningful innings in almost 3 weeks. Zambrano is too good to be used for 7 innings in 3 weeks plain and simple. Regarding your "ERA as a RP vs ERA as a SP", its completely ridiculous to even mention it as the sample size is so damn small its not worth wasting my time over. You know as well as I do, Zambrano's ERA as a starter is highly skewed because of his 1st 1 1/3 innings of the season. Outside of those 1st 1 1/3 innings Z hadn't allowed over 3 runs in any of his next 3 starts before being moved to the pen. Please let me know if you need more clarification No need to clarify - There are two sides to every disagreement. However, I have chosen to take the "ridiculous" side that has statistical evidence over the side filled with excuses. Sample size or not, one bad outing or not, Zambrano's success in the bullpen has been better than his struggles, this year, as a starter, thusfar. I have no desire to continue this conversation. I encourage differing opinions from mine and have enjoyed reading your perspective.

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter. What are you talking about? Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response: (1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!". (2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45). Please let me know if you need more clarification.

Daytona: - Jose Valdez assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs.

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter. I personally don't mind seeing any of our minor league starting pitchers pitch out of the bullpen for a period of time. What if their stuff plays up amazingly out of the bullpen? What if they are so dominating that it appears they are MLB-ready today? They could play an important role on our team, give us a boost, and help us get a few more wins. None of the relief pitchers at Iowa are what Lou wants right now. He wants a right-handed, power pitcher with control. Gaub is a lefty and Stevens and Parker have been too wild. This is why Samardzija was given so much time to try to right himself. It's also why Jeff Gray was called up as soon as his velocity was there. Jay Jackson has proven he has the control needed for Lou, but he is not striking out enough guys as a starter to be considered dominant (although he has limited the base hits nicely). I say there is very little risk involved with this little experiment. If his velocity doesn't increase enough in the pen, he will likely be moved back to the rotation where he will be a solid 3rd or 4th starter. If his velocity sits around 94-96, then he can kick off his major league career in a few weeks!

Tennessee: - Mike Parisi placed on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 11, 2010. - Alberto Cabrera assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs.

Tennessee: Marcos Mateo assigned to Tennessee from Iowa Brandon Guyer activated from the 7-Day DL Daytona: Jake Opitz assigned to Daytona from Tennessee Marco Carrillo assigned to Daytona from Tennessee David Patton placed on the 7-Day DL

Chicago: - Esmailin Caridad called up by Chicago from Iowa - Starlin Castro's contract purchased by Chicago from Tennessee Iowa: - Mark Johnson placed on the 7-day DL - Chad Tracy assigned to Iowa from Chicago - Jeff Gray assigned to Iowa from Chicago - Andrew Cashner promoted to Iowa from Tennessee Tennessee: - Mike Parisi assigned to Tennessee from Iowa - Josh Vitters assigned to Tennessee from Daytona - Marwin Gonzalez assigned to Tennessee from Daytona Daytona: - Ryan Flaherty assigned to Daytona from Tennessee

I updated the Transactions sticky - I hate those transactions on the last day of the month (I always miss them)!

Iowa: RHP Esmailin Caridad assigned to Iowa Cubs. Peoria: Peoria Chiefs placed RHP Corey Martin on the 7-Day disabled list. right calf strain. Peoria Chiefs activated RHP Jonathan Nagel from the 7-Day disabled list. April 30, 2010: Daytona: Daytona Cubs activated LHP Christopher Rusin from the 7-Day disabled list. Peoria: LHP Jeffrey Beliveau assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. RHP Ryan Searle assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Daytona Cubs.

Thanks Karen! Tennessee: Tennessee Smokies placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-Day disabled list. Matthew Spencer assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. No one has filled the opening at Daytona yet.

In addition to the above transactions, Ryne White was also released from Daytona today.

Juan Cruz and Carlos Zambrano in the bullpen will be just like old times (2002 - before Zambrano became a fixture in the rotation)!

Iowa: Jeff Samardzija optioned to Iowa No corresponding move, yet...

Iowa: Jason Dubois to the DL Sam Fuld activated

Thanks, but don't make extra work for yourself. I can just go to their websites when I need to. I just had never seen those before!

It's nice to see Su-Min Jung start off so well. His peripheral stats aren't too special, but no runs in 12 IP as of this moment. I'm also excited to see 10 SB's (only 2 CS) from Jose Valdez already - someone said he's our fastest player and it's hard to argue with those results!

here's a *little* more info from Nate's notes of 4/20: April 17: LH James Leverton added from Extended Spring Training; RH Jonathan Nagel placed on disabled list (right arm stiffness) Those game notes are great - is there any way to link those here at NSBB? I like how it gives us each pitcher's repertoire. Thanks Karen.