Dusty Says

Nomar Garciaparra, SS, is injured day to day with a lower back stiffness. “Nomar is better,” manager Dusty Baker said. “I wanted to give him a break.” That, of course, translates into a week or two of benching and more Neifi! time.

The Cubs have apparently joined the shopping of lefthanded reliever JC Romero, of the Minnesota Twins, Baseball Journal says. Romero, 28, is a power pitcher that requested a trade last week; the Twins are looking for outfield help and might be turning their attention at Korey Patterson, CF, or Jerry Hairston, Jr (OF-2B); Hairston and Patterson’s recent promotion might be to showcase the pair to interested teams. The Cubs don’t have a future plan, reportedly, for either of the players.

Outfielder Matt Murton was sent to Iowa after the promotion of Jerry Hairston, Jr. Murton batted .339 in his first stint with the Cubs. He will now become Iowa’s starting left fielder.

Six is the number of times Carlos Zambrano, P, has left a start because of an injury. Still, the righthander has started all but one of his scheduled games and has not gone on the DL this season. He has a 10-5 record with a 3.12 ERA in 24 starts.

Todd Wellemeyer got the callup this Sunday and John Koronka was sent back to Iowa. Wellemeyer, affectionally called the WS (Walk-Strikeout), is 2-1 with one saved game and a 4.74 ERA with the big club. He was stretched to start in Iowa, and went 3-2 in 12 games.

Take a look at this:

Ah. Makes me feel all giddy.

Again, for those interested in site statistics, this weeks’ line can be found here.

An article by the MiLB about Brian Dopirak can be found here. Very good read.

Earlier today, before the game, Rich Hill was optioned to Iowa and John Koronka was recalled. Koronka will work as the lefty out of the bullpen and Glendon Rusch will take Hill’s rotation spot. Hill, who has an ERA over seven, will start normally in Iowa.

Using Google Earth and a friends’ brain, I could get this beautiful capture of Wrigley Field. Beautiful stuff.

Full image. Well worth it.

The Cubs were swept by the New York Mets.

The Cubs were shutout (mostly) Jae Seo.

The Cubs are trying to sign Marquis Grissom.

The Cubs like to stay mathematically in the Wild-Card race.

The Cubs DFAd Mike Remlinger.

Sidenote: For those of you that like to see site statistics, this week’s line is shown here.

“I love to play baseball. I’m a baseball player. I’ve always been a baseball player. I’m still a baseball player. That’s who I am.”

(Copyright Mikuada)

Welcome to the hall of the greats, Ryne, for you deserve to be here. To be among those of your own caliber. Enjoy it, and as you said, go Cubs.