Cubs’ DeWitt ‘victim’ of flu bug

The illness that has claimed several Cubs players claimed another one in a different way Sunday.

With Matt Garza recovering from the illness, the Cubs called up lefty Travis Wood from Class AAA Iowa to start against the Dodgers.

To make room, infielder Blake DeWitt was designated for assignment.

“Hopefully he clears waivers to stay with us,” manager Dale Sveum said of DeWitt. “It’s just kind of an unfortunate thing, more than anything just because of the flu bug. It cost a guy a job in the big leagues. Our only chance to do anything (with the roster) was him.

“It’s unfortunate that because of the flu bug it cost somebody his job. Hopefully he stays in the organization, doesn’t get claimed and he’s back here to help us sometime soon.”

The Cubs designated DeWitt last winter, but he cleared waivers and came to spring training as a nonroster man and made the team with a strong camp.

More roster moves are coming Monday. It’s possible the Cubs could send Wood back to Iowa. If so, they could call up an infielder, such as Adrian Cardenas.

Wood recorded a quality start, pitching 6 innings and giving up 3 hits and 3 runs. He retired the last 11 Dodgers he faced.

Rough start:

Much heralded Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion is off to a rough start at the Cubs’ Class A Peoria affiliate. In a 20-5 loss Saturday to Quad Cities, Concepcion pitched 1 inning, giving up 6 hits and 7 runs, 2 earned.

In 3 starts, the 20-year-old Concepcion is 0-3 with an 18.90 ERA, having worked 6 innings and giving up 19 hits and 19 runs (14 earned) while walking three and striking out four.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) is 3.30.

This and that:

The Cubs notched their third walk-off victory this season. … First baseman Bryan LaHair (.390) was 3-for-4, with a walk and a double. He has reached safely in 24 straight games. That’s the longest such streak by a Cubs first baseman since Derrek Lee had a 30-gamer in 2009.