Chicago Cubs getting Schwarber at-bats however they can
Rookie Kyle Schwarber moved from catcher to starting in left field for the Chicago Cubs in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Rockies. It was Schwarber's first start in left as the Cubs try to find places to get his left-handed bat into the lineup.
He went 1-for-2 with 2 walks and 2 putouts in the outfield. When Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta pitch, the Cubs figure to use veteran David Ross behind the plate. But with an offense that struggles to score, Schwarber's bat is important.
"We'll keep playing with it," said manager Joe Maddon. "It's not like we scored a ton of runs today, but it's something you may see when Jon pitches. I thought David was outstanding behind the plate.
He knows the deadline:
Pitcher Jon Lester, who started and won Wednesday, knows all about the July 31 trading deadline. He was dealt last July 31 from Boston to Oakland.
"It's a crazy time, not only with the trade deadline and all that stuff, but for me personally," he said. "It's my son's birthday on the trade deadline. Last year made for an interesting birthday."
The Cubs remain 2½ games behind the Giants in the wild-card race, which means they're still looking to add a piece or two.
"Just some reinforcements," Lester said. "We all understand the position that we're in, and we can't just (go all out at the expense of the future). Now, if we were in first place and his (president Theo Epstein's) plan is kind of sped up, I think guys would expect something to get done.
"Whether it's a big move or a small move, anytime you get somebody that gives you that little boost, gives you that belief - and I'm not saying they don't believe in us if they don't make a move, but you get that little boost in the clubhouse that, 'These guys think we can make a push here.' I try not to worry about those guys' jobs.
"Would it be nice? Yeah. If (a trade) doesn't happen, I think we all understand."
Roster moves affect bullpen:
The Cubs placed right-handed reliever Neil Ramirez on the disabled list with left-abdominal soreness. Ramirez said the injury feels not unlike an oblique strain.
They recalled right-handed reliever Yoervis Medina from Class AAA Iowa. They also optioned starting pitcher Dallas Beeler to Iowa and selected the contract of submarine-style right-hander Ben Rowen from Iowa.
Rowen, 26, joins the Cubs after combining to go 4-0 with 1 save and a 1.93 ERA in 34 relief outings for three affiliates between the Orioles and Cubs organizations. He went to spring training as a nonroster invitee with the Dodgers.
Of Rowen's pitching style, Joe Maddon said: "I've always been a funk guy. Funk is good."
This and that:
Jon Lester's 14 strikeouts were the most by a Cubs left-hander since at least 1914, according to the team … Anthony Rizzo's home run snapped a 17-game homerless drought, dating to July 7 … Rockies second baseman and former Cub DJ LeMahieu had an 18-game hitting streak end … The Cubs' Dexter Fowler has reached base in 13 straight games.