Hoffpauir, Hill win spots on Cubs roster

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Micah Hoffpauir can relax. Really, he can relax.

The final position-player pieces fell into place for the Cubs on Monday, and the upshot is that Hoffpauir officially is on the team as a backup first baseman and outfielder. Koyie Hill also has won the backup catcher's job.

The Cubs released veteran catcher Paul Bako and relief pitcher Mike Stanton. While three pitchers still need to be cut to finalize the 25-man roster, the 13 position players are set.

Hoffpauir said his wife texted him about the roster while surfing the Internet.

"I don't know what's going on," he said before playing first base against the Kansas City Royals. But with Bako gone and no other position players in camp, he allowed himself to think positively.

"Do the math," he said. "You never know going in. You just do what you can to get there. Hopefully I am there, so we'll see. It's a dream come true.

"Making the opening-day roster is special. It's the first time for me. I hope to stick for a while and help the team out."

Hoffpauir helped the Cubs last year while also tearing things up at Class AAA Iowa, where he hit 25 homers and drove in 100 runs in 71 games.

Hill was up with the Cubs in 2007 and last year. He beat out Bako, a veteran who was with the Cubs in 2003-04.

"First of all, Hill's had a good spring," manager Lou Piniella said. "That enters into it. Outside of that, we talked about it long and hard, and the decision was made.

"It wasn't easy. Look, the important thing now is that hopefully Paul can get a major-league job quick. I think he will. He's a very capable catcher.

"We're set position-player wise."

Hill caught the entire game Monday against the Royals and went 2-for-4 in the Cubs' 8-8, 10-inning tie. For the spring, he's 18-for-46 (.391) with 1 home run and 8 RBI. Bako batted .364 (12-for-33) with a homer.

Neither catcher has hit much in his big-league career, but the Cubs say they want solid defense and handling of pitchers from their backup catcher.

Although he was gassed from catching 10 innings, Hill wasn't too tired to talk about making the club.

"I don't think you can come down from that," he said. "It was good. I'm excited. I've got a lot of people to thank. It's a big step for me personally, and I'm very appreciative of the opportunity."

Hill came back last year after a horrific injury he suffered in the fall of 2007, when he severed three fingers and his thumb while working with a table saw. He played in 36 big-league games in '07 and in 10 last year after hitting 17 homers at Iowa.

"Koyie's worked hard," Piniella said. "It's a good story. He's been here before. He had a chance to catch here. He caught well and helped us win some ballgames.

"Look, he had to come in here and compete, and compete he did. He's had one of the better springs. It's never easy cutting somebody."

On the bus ride back to Mesa, Hill had plenty of phone calls to return.

"I think everybody in Oklahoma is aware of the situation," the Tulsa native said. "I'm just thankful for the team I had around me, and last year with (GM Jim) Hendry and the organization standing behind me.

"It means a lot to me personally and my family. It starts at the top. It was a nice gesture on their part."