Minor-league coordinator to work with Soto, Hill

The Cubs have called their minor-league catching coordinator up to work with Geovany Soto and Koyie Hill.

Coordinator Marty Pevey spent much of spring training with the big club. Manager Mike Quade said there are no urgent issues with the catching. Soto, who has come off shoulder surgery, entered Monday having thrown out eight of 27 runners trying to steal against him.

The 8 caught-stealings led the major leagues.

“He was so important to all of them in spring training,” Quade said of Pevey. “We kept him for a lot longer than any of the other instructors. The work that he did with them and the rapport that he had with them and the understanding of the mechanics … (Peavy) came in here the first game and said Soto’s feet are off a little bit off. OK, great. Somehow, in the midst of all the stuff I’m doing, I missed that little piece of information. But that’s what he does. That’s what makes him good.

“There’s nothing specific. Just maintenance. You’ve got ‘Sote,’ who can use the maintenance and can get better throwing, and you’ve got Hilly who needs the work because he catches once a week or whatever. And he’ll be a regular visitor, once a month.”

Rehabs continue:The Cubs say rehabbing pitchers Randy Wells (forearm) and Andrew Cashner (rotator cuff) will see the doctors again Wednesday. Although there is no timetable for either to return, the Cubs say their rehabs are going well. Both pitchers went on the disabled list April 8.#147;I#146;m just happy that all the progress to this point has been good,#148; Mike Quade said. #147;We want them back quick, but we want them back right.#148;Another chance:James Russell is set to make his third start of the season Tuesday night. Russell has come out of the bullpen to make 2 starts. He has given up 9 runs (8 earned) in 5.2 innings.The Cubs are short in pitching depth, so there aren#146;t many other viable options, either on the big club or in the minor leagues. #147;There#146;s a spot available, and we think Russ is our best option,#148; Mike Quade said. #147;If he becomes a second-best option at some point, then you make a change. He#146;s a guy with major-league experience that will do anything you ask, that throws strikes. I just don#146;t think we have anybody on this staff that we want to thrust right now in that role, and nobody in the minor leagues, I think, is seasoned enough and ready for that. It#146;s an evolving thing.#148;