Pena stresses in-game communication

MILWAUKEE — Take a look at the Cubs’ infield, and one thing you’ll notice is that first baseman Carlos Pena does a lot of talking to his teammates.

It might be a quick word with his pitcher, or even no words, as Pena grabs the rosin bag to allow the man on the mound a few extra seconds to gather himself. Or it might be a conversation with second baseman Jeff Baker about how to position a hitter or anticipate a runner trying to steal.

“I do have that type of personality where I communicate with people a lot,” Pena said Saturday. “When I’m on the field, I don’t think it has anything to do so much with my personality. It has everything with trying to make sure we’re all on the same page. I want the pitcher to know 100 percent that we’ve got his back.

“With Baker, it’s letting me know what he’s seeing and me letting him know what I’m seeing.”

Pena said part of his approach is trying to guard against assuming too much.

“I think that’s extremely important and sometimes overlooked because we are professionals,” he said. “It’s, ‘We don’t need to talk. We’re too cool for that.’ We don’t want that to be an obstacle, our pride.”

Manager Mike Quade said it’s good for players, rather than the manager, to do the talking at times.

“There’s all sorts of ways to relax guys,” Quade said. “Sometimes you talk to them just to break up the monotony and the tension of the moment. Sometimes you actually have something important to say. He (Pena) is so into the game, and that’s going to result in him helping situationally.”

Coleman is back:

The Cubs recalled pitcher Casey Coleman from Class AAA Iowa to start Sunday’s series finale against the Brewers. Mike Quade said it was hard to send Coleman down at the end of spring training, but Coleman seemed to understand.

“My dad (former pitcher Joe Coleman) has been in baseball; I know the situation,” he said. “I thanked them for even giving me a chance. They let me in the bullpen. They saw that as my best chance of making the team.”

Coleman is up because of the injuries to starters Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner.

Staying put:

With second baseman Jeff Baker off to a good start, Mike Quade was asked if Baker could get some outfield time.

“I haven’t asked him to do that yet,” Quade said. “He’ll do anything. I’ve got my hands full in the outfield. I like the idea that he can spell Rami (third baseman Aramis Ramirez) if he needs a break. I’d just as soon keep those guys in the infield right now, but never say never.”