Cubs think they can spare Eyre
Scott Eyre took the high road, even as he prepared to hit the road in his RV and drive home.
The Cubs designated Eyre for assignment Tuesday as they activated closer Kerry Wood from the disabled list.
Eyre, a 36-year-old reliver, cleared waivers at noon Tuesday. The Cubs have seven more days to trade Eyre before releasing him.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry expressed confidence Eyre could help another team. The Arizona Diamondbacks may have interest, but Hendry may prefer to trade Eyre to the American League.
Eyre battled elbow and groin injuries this year and never got on track. In 19 games, he was 2-0 with a 7.15 ERA. He was on the DL from June 28-July 22 with a strained left groin.
Manager Lou Piniella used Eyre once since he came off the DL. Piniella never did warm to Eyre, perhaps because of his slow start last year. Before the all-star break in 2007, Eyre had a 6.60 ERA. After the break, it was 0.81. Eyre also set a franchise record with 33 consecutive scoreless appearances from last Aug. 16 through June 13.
About getting pushed aside, Eyre put most of it on himself.
"I think I did that to myself last year in the first half," he said. "I don't think Lou ever got over that. That's fine. I have no ill feelings, and I mean that truly."
Piniella was magnanimous.
"He's a good young man; it's a shame," Piniella said. "We needed to get Woody on the roster, and we needed a spot. We couldn't go to 13 pitchers. Hopefully, somebody picks him up and he can go help some team ... I wish him nothing but the best."
Taking shape: Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless eighth inning Tuesday. Lou Piniella said Wood will get one more setup appearance before going back to being the closer now that the blister on his right index finger is healed.
The man who may get relegated to middle relief is Bob Howry, who suffered a blown save Tuesday. Carlos Marmol can work the eighth when Wood closes. Jeff Samardzija and Chad Gaudin also might jump ahead of Howry (5.30 ERA).
"We used (Howry) basically in middle today," Piniella said. "He came in the sixth inning with no problems, and then he gave up the 2 runs in the seventh. But we've got some choices, with Howry, with Marmol, with Samardzija and Gaudin."
Rotation roulette: With off-days coming Thursday, next Monday and Aug. 18, Lou Piniella may see fit to skip a start with No. 5 starter Jason Marquis. He'll give Rich Harden a bit of a breather, starting him next Tuesday in Atlanta.
Proud papa: TV analyst Bob Brenly will miss Friday's game because he's flying to Boise to watch his son, Michael, a recently drafted Cubs farmhand who is off to a good start. The Cubs are off Thursday and Monday, and national networks carry the games Saturday and Sunday. Dan Plesac will fill in for Brenly Friday.