Cubs to recall Samardzija; he'll take spot in bullpen

There seemed to be no hurry earlier this week to make any changes with the Cubs' beleaguered bullpen.

That all apparently changed Wednesday when general manager Jim Hendry returned from Iowa after spending four days with the Cubs' Class AAA farm club.

Hendry said Wednesday that right-hander Jeff Samardzija will be called up today to work out of the bullpen. Hendry tried to quell some speculation by quickly adding that lefty Neal Cotts would remain with the team despite a rocky start, and that left-hander Sean Marshall will stay in the rotation.

But a new round of speculation began because the Cubs will have to clear a roster spot for Samardzija. It appears right-hander Luis Vizcaino will be dealt or designated for assignment despite giving up no runs over 4 outings.

The other part of the fallout is that rookie right-hander David Patton, selected in the Rule 5 draft, is safe. The Cubs must keep Patton on the big-league roster all year or risk losing him on waivers.

Samardzija, 24, went to spring training battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, a job won by Marshall. After 1 relief appearance at Iowa, he made 2 starts. Last Saturday, he worked 6 innings, giving up 1 hit and 2 runs.

"It was what we wanted him to do," Hendry said of Samardzija's role at Iowa. "He had kind of a disjointed spring as far as not only rotation stretching out and pen work, but the success ratio was a little bit up and down. All three of his pitches were real good the other night. His command was really good with his fastball. He threw some good sliders, and a lot of quality splits for strikeouts the other night."

The Cubs want Samardzija to help righty Aaron Heilman bridge the innings between the starting pitcher and late men Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg.

Manager Lou Piniella said he talked with Cotts after Cotts walked one and gave up a hit Tuesday night.

"I told him to relax and throw the ball," Piniella said. "It seems to me like he's aiming it some. Last year, he finished up the season really, really strong. He came to spring training and really pitched well three-quarters of the way through spring. Just relax and throw it. 'You've got a good arm. Use it.' That was basically the message."

Backing Bradley: Milton Bradley returned to the lineup in right field. Jim Hendry said he supports Bradley's appeal of the two-game suspension he received for allegedly making contact with umpire Larry Vanover last week after Vanover ejected him.

"I'm supportive of it because I didn't think the actions supported a suspension," Hendry said. "I certainly said that right from the start, and I still believe that. The easy way out would have been to take the suspension while he wasn't going to play anyhow."