Cubs set for September call-ups

Sept. 1 is Sunday, and minor-league call-ups are coming.

The Cubs are not going to overcrowd their major-league roster, but they took some steps Friday toward adding players.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena and outfielder Ryan Sweeney are moving from Rookie League Mesa to the Class A Kane County Cougars for Saturday as both complete injury-rehab assignments. Cubs manager Dale Sveum said both would be activated Sunday.

Reliever Rafael Dolis also will move from Mesa to Kane County, but it's not certain when he'll be activated.

Valbuena has been on the disabled list retro to Aug. 3 with a strained right oblique. Sweeney is on the 60-day disabled list after having suffered a cracked rib. Room on the 40-man roster will have to be made for Sweeney.

The Cubs also are likely to call up catcher J.C. Boscan from Class AAA Iowa. They'll also need a left-handed reliever to take some of the workload off the overtaxed James Russell, so Brooks Raley may get the call. It's also possible right-handed reliever Alberto Cabrera will come up, as well.

So far, there has been no indication the Cubs will recall third baseman Mike Olt from Iowa. They obtained him from Texas in the Matt Garza trade.

Right-handed pitcher Scott Baker visited Wrigley Field on Friday. He will make another rehab start Monday for Kane County as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs will evaluate him after Monday.

Ryno remembers:Phillies manager and Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg crossed paths with several current Cubs players when he managed in their minor-league system. One was second baseman Darwin Barney, who won the Gold Glove last year. #8220;Darwin was a shortstop, primarily, when I had him,#8221; Sandberg said. #8220;I didn't know if I played him at second base. But it got to the point right around the all-star break where I thought it was necessary for him to take some balls over there.#8220;So we spent some early workouts way before anyone else was there to show him how the feet work and everything else at second base. I thought that was important for him.#8221;Sandberg struggled at the plate at the start of his first year with the Cubs. He was asked what he might tell current Cubs youngsters Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, both of whom have had hard times this year. #8220;I think you learn from the experience,#8221; Sandberg said. #8220;Young players, it's all about making adjustments and gaining the experience. But you have to try things different and make adjustments.#8220;It's a grind. You have to grind it out. You have to stay positive. That's probably the biggest thing. And have fun.#8221;Bevy of all-stars:The Cubs' Class AA Tennessee affiliate placed five players on the end-of-season all-star team in the Southern League. That's the most of any organization. Making the team were shortstop Javier Baez, outfielder Matt Szczur, second baseman Arismendy Alcantara, third baseman Christian Villanueva and pitcher Kyle Hendricks.