Cubs busy getting roster rearranged
A crowded Cubs clubhouse got a little less crowded as Monday afternoon turned to Monday evening.
The Cubs welcomed back third baseman Aramis Ramirez, outfielder Reed Johnson and reliever Angel Guzman off the disabled list.
They optioned popular outfielder Sam Fuld and reliever Kevin Hart to Class AAA Iowa and placed reliever David Patton on the DL with a right-groin strain.
Manager Lou Piniella and general manager Jim Hendry said the roster moves were not easy ones to make.
"We had a lot of discussions about making room for Ramirez and Reed Johnson and Guzman," Piniella said. "I don't think anything was clear cut. We've got some outfield protection now with (Jeff) Baker, who can play the outfield and also getting Reed Johnson on.
"That made the Sam Fuld situation a little easier. But give this young man credit. He played well. Hart pitched well. We needed a roster spot for Guzman. He only gave up 3 hits in 6 innings of work. It's not easy sending out kids."
Fuld came up from Iowa June 29 and went 4-for-11, including 2 doubles, with 3 runs scored.
"Sam did fine," Hendry said. "Sam was great. I think Sam will certainly be back in Chicago, no doubt, at some point this summer or the fall. He did everything you wanted him to do."
The Cubs now are carrying 11 pitchers, down from 12. They said Patton "tweaked" his groin Saturday.
Kane County kudos: Reed Johnson and Aramis Ramirez played in Kane County before nearly 15,000 on Friday while rehabbing with the Cubs' Class A Peoria club against the Cougars.
Johnson came away impressed with the Kane County operation.
"It was nice," Johnson said. "I know the players enjoyed it over there. We enjoyed it as well. Me and Ramy had a good time in Kane County and going to Peoria as well and playing in those games and spending Fourth of July there.
"It was a good experience. Those guys (A-ball players), we were saying, are definitely more spoiled when I was in low-A ball. Our facilities and fields, I don't remember being that nice."
Freel traded: The Cubs traded infielder-outfielder Ryan Freel to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named or cash. The Cubs designated Freel for assignment July 2. They obtained him May 8 from Baltimore for outfielder Joey Gathright.
The quote: Jim Hendry had this to say about the perceived need to make a trade: "If you look at our roster today, we have a pretty good team. If our guys all play like they're capable of, or most of them, you don't have to do a whole lot of things. There aren't a lot of places to fit somebody in if we perform the way we're supposed to."