Sveum says Cubs have several all-star candidates
The All-Star Game is less than a month away, and Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he believes his team has candidates.
Specifically, he mentioned pitcher Ryan Dempster, left fielder Alfonso Soriano, shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Bryan LaHair.
“We’ve got a few that are kind of right there on the bubble,” Sveum said. “As far as consistency, obviously Dempster doesn’t have the wins, but he’s as good a starting pitcher as there has been in baseball this year.
“Sori’s last few weeks, if he puts up another 4 home runs and 10 RBI, it’s going to be tough probably to keep him out of it, as well as Dempster.”
The All-Star Game is July 10 in Kansas City. It’s unlikely the Cubs will have any position players voted into the starting lineup, but they could land a few reserve spots.
Stewart heading to DL:Third baseman Ian Stewart was a late lineup scratch as his chronically sore left wrist apparently acted up again.Manager Dale Sveum said after Wednesday night#146;s 8-4 loss to the Tigers that Stewart would be placed on the disabled list Thursday.The Cubs likely won#146;t call up third-base prospect Josh Vitters. Instead, they#146;ll likely go with Luis Valbuena, who spent only Opening Day with the Cubs this year.Stewart has been a disappointment at the plate, with a hitting line of .201/.292/.335 with 5 homers.#147;There#146;s been plenty of things suggested,#148; Dale Sveum said about working with Stewart. #147;It#146;s just a matter of him applying it. He#146;s got to be able to apply things in the game and batting practice and (have) willingness to make adjustments. That#146;s the bottom line. We#146;ve got to make adjustments.#147;Two hundred more at-bats. So we got to start getting some production out of that.#148;But the wrist appears to have been a big factor.#147;He#146;s been battling as much as he can through it,#148; Sveum said. #147;It got to the point today where it#146;s pretty bad.#148;Sveum added Stewart will see a different doctor for a second opinion.Stealing playing time:Tony Campana started in center field for the second straight game. He stole three bases Tuesday, giving him 21. That led the major leagues entering Wednesday. Campana did not come up to the big club until April 21.#147;When he gets on base, it just causes a lot of problems for the other manager,#148; Dale Sveum said. #147;The defense will have to rush things. Sometimes that stuff happens. Campy, when he gets on base, there#146;s a lot of stuff going on.#147;He just needs to be able to bunt in any situation, whether it#146;s to get to (Starlin) Castro with men in scoring position or stuff like that. He#146;s got to learn to do those kinds of things.#148;More time needed:Catcher Geovany Soto likely will rehab at Class AAA Iowa through the weekend, with the Cubs evaluating his possible return late Sunday or early Monday, when they go to the South Side to play the White Sox. Soto has been on the disabled list since mid-May because of arthroscopic surgery to his left knee. #147;I#146;d like to see him go nine a couple games and just get more at-bats so he gets a little more comfortable swinging the bat,#148; Dale Sveum said. #147;He#146;s kind of back in spring-training mode.#148;