Cubs get infielder Baker from Colorado for pitcher

The Cubs acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday for minor league right-handed pitcher Al Alburquerque.

To make room on the roster, infielder Ryan Freel was designated for assignment.

Baker, who will wear No. 28, was activated from the 60-day disabled list by the Rockies prior to the trade and will be available for the Cubs in tonight's game against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field.

The 28-year-old Baker batted .268 (80-for-299) with 22 doubles, 1 triple, 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 104 games last year for the Rockies. The right-handed batter saw action at second base (49 games, 47 starts), first base (22 games), third base (nine games) and right field (three games) last season.

Baker has been limited to only 12 games with the Rockies this season due to a sprained left hand that sent him to the disabled list on April 29. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has been on a rehab assignment since June 20 with Single-A Modesto (two games) and Triple-A Colorado Springs (seven games).

With the Rockies this year, Baker batted .130 (3-for-23) with 1 triple and 3 RBI prior to his injury.

In five major league seasons with the Rockies (2005-09), Baker is a career .257 hitter (144-for-561) with 35 doubles, 6 triples, 22 home runs and 88 RBI in 231 big league games.

Alburquerque, 23, went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA (8 ER/34.2 IP) in 24 relief appearances for Single-A Daytona this season. Acquired by the Cubs from Baltimore for Joey Gathright on May 8, Freel batted .143 (4-for-28) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI in 14 games.