Cubs take Arrieta All-Star snub in stride

All-Star talk continued Tuesday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs celebrated the selections of first baseman Anthony Rizzo and third baseman Kris Bryant and shrugged off the snub of pitcher Jake Arrieta, who won Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Although manager Joe Maddon isn't thrilled that Bryant wants to take part in the All-Star Home Run Derby next Monday in Cincinnati, he's not holding the rookie back.

"Obviously, it's turned into a spectacle, and I get all that," Maddon said. "I would be concerned about a guy who has something going on (with an injury), that he doesn't aggravate anything. You'd probably always prefer that they don't (do the Home Run Derby). I'm not going to tell them not to. They're big boys."

Arrieta ran his record to 9-5 with a 2.80 ERA as he continues to hold claim as ace of the Cubs staff. But with every team needing to be represented and two Cubs on the National League squad, there apparently was not a spot for Arrieta.

"In that moment of having to make those choices, there's so many tough ones to make," Maddon said. "It's so difficult. At the end of the day, everybody is going to feel that way. Of course, Jake is worthy, but (Clayton) Kershaw is worthy, too, and (Johnny) Cueto is worthy, too. It's hard to make an argument when you see those other names not there."

Outfielder Chris Denorfia summed up the feeling about Arrieta.

"I believe in our guys, and they're going to get their accolades," he said.

Back up top:

Center fielder Dexter Fowler was back in the leadoff spot for the doubleheader after being dropped to seventh in Monday's series opener. Fowler walked and singled Monday. In Game 1 of the doubleheader, he went 2-for-4 with a walk, a single and a double.

Joe Maddon said he texted Fowler Monday to tell him of the change.

"I've been trying to break out for the last couple months," said Fowler, who entered the second game of the doubleheader batting .234. "I've been putting in a lot of work, so hopefully this work pays off. I'm fine with it; I appreciate (Maddon) texting me, but he's the manager, and as long as I'm in the lineup, I'm happy."

Minor matters:

Reliever Rafael Soriano, signed last month to a minor league deal, made his organizational debut Monday for Class AA Tennessee, pitching 1 inning, giving up 1 hit and striking out three. It's possible the 35-year-old Soriano could join the big club sometime after the All-Star break.

"He knows how to pitch," Joe Maddon said.

Things did not go so well at Tennessee for lefty Tsuyoshi Wada, who made his first rehab start since going on the disabled list June 23 with deltoid inflammation. Wada gave up 8 hits and 4 runs in 4 innings as Tennessee fell 4-3 at Birmingham.