Opportunity can come calling

MILWAUKEE - Memo to Cubs minor-leaguers: Answer the phone.

Just like So Taguchi last week, Tyler Colvin at first ignored a phone call from an unknown number.

It turned out that phone belonged to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Colvin's manager at Class AA Tennessee. So between bites at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, Colvin finally picked up and found out from Sandberg he was going to the major leagues.

"I didn't now what number was calling," Colvin said Monday. "I figured out it was Sandberg's."

The 24-year-old Colvin, the Cubs' No. 1 draft pick in 2006, made his major-league debut Monday against the Brewers. He hit a sacrifice fly his first time up and followed with his first major-league hit, a single in the third inning.

Colvin came up one day after the Cubs suspended right fielder Milton Bradley for the season. Manager Lou Piniella started in center field. With a recent spate of injuries, Colvin's name had been mentioned as a possibility.

"Some guys were telling me there was a chance, but I didn't really think much into it," he said. "Yes, I was very surprised."

Colvin began the season at Class A Daytona after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last off-season. After his promotion to Tennessee, he batted .300 with 14 homers and 50 RBI. His on-base percentage was .334, and his slugging percentage was .524.

In addition to bringing up Colvin, the Cubs activated outfielder Reed Johnson (broken foot) from the disabled list. Manager Lou Piniella also said outfielder Sam Fuld (thumb) could swing a bat.

"All of a sudden, from lack of outfielders, we've got a full cast of them again," Piniella said.

Rotation switch: Right-hander Jeff Samardzija will start Wednesday's finale against the Brewers in place of lefty Ted Lilly. Lou Piniella said he wanted to give Lilly a few days extra rest and that Lilly will pitch one of the games this weekend in San Francisco.

It's also possible Rich Harden will start in San Francisco. The Cubs skipped Harden a start to rest his shoulder.

Samardzija is 1-2 with a 7.89 ERA in 19 games, 1 start, for the Cubs this year.