With Soriano on DL, Cubs call up Hoffpauir, Patterson

As expected, the Chicago Cubs today placed outfielder Alfonso Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with a fracture in his left hand and optioned right-handed pitcher Kevin Hart to Triple-A Iowa.

In return, the Cubs recalled infielders Micah Hoffpauir and Eric Patterson from Triple-A.

Hoffpauir and Patterson both begin their second stints with the Cubs this season and are available for this afternoon's game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field.

The 28-year-old Hoffpauir was first recalled from Iowa on May 18 and batted .421 (8-for-19) with three doubles and one RBI in 11 games with the Cubs. The left-handed hitter batted .500 (4-for-8) with a double, three runs scored and one RBI in his final three games before being optioned to Triple-A on June 3. In 16 games with Iowa this season, he is batting .306 (19-for-62) with four doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI.

Hoffpauir last season batted a career-best .319 (99-for-310) with 24 doubles, 16 home runs and 73 RBI in 82 games with Iowa to earn Pacific Coast League all-star honors.

Patterson returns to the Cubs after batting .326 (59-for-181) with 13 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 27 runs scored and 26 RBI in 47 games with Iowa this season. He posted a .361 on-base percentage and a .514 slugging percentage.

For more on the Cubs, check out Chicago's Inside Pitch blog with Bruce Miles today.