Cubs laud Theriot for job he did at SS

CINCINNATI - While moving Ryan Theriot to second base, Cubs manager Lou Piniella thanked him for his work at shortstop since early 2007.

"I brought him in and thanked him for all his good work for this organization these past few years that I've been here," Piniella said Friday. "I told him the young man that we've brought up plays the shortstop position and that both have a wonderful, wonderful chance of being a good double-play combination for a long time. I thanked Ryan for all the good work and the success that we've had here, and he's been an integral part of it."

The "young man" is Starlin Castro, who started at shortstop and who could become a fixture there for some time.

When the Cubs were struggling in early '07, Piniella replaced Cesar Izturis at short with Theriot. From that time on, Theriot did a creditable job there and at the plate, as the Cubs won division titles in '07 and '08.

"I think when this club needed somebody to do that, I was able to do it," Theriot said. "I think for a few years before that, it was pretty unstable. Yeah, I take a lot of pride in that. Two division titles, I think that's pretty good, the first two years in the league being able to come in, playing a position like that and really, winning, to win at a position like that and be a young player, I do take a lot of pride in that."

Theriot pledged his support to Castro.

"He's a very talented player, and he's going to have a great career," he said. "We're excited to have him, and I'm going to do everything I can in my power to make sure he's comfortable, to make sure this transition is a smooth and easy one for him."

New roles: With Ryan Theriot moving to second base and infielder Chad Tracy being optioned to Class AAA Iowa to make room for Starlin Castro, what happens to second basemen Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot?

"They become utility players," said Lou Piniella. "They'll get playing time. I like both of them."

Go easy: Lou Piniella thought pitcher Randy Wells was too critical of himself after lasting just 2 innings Thursday in Pittsburgh.

"I actually talked to Randy today," Piniella said. "I said, 'You're too hard on yourself.' Everybody's entitled to a bad game. I think Cy Young must have had some bad games, right? I thought he was too hard on himself with his comments, and I told him so."

Minor matters: The Cubs promoted a pair of their first-round draft picks. Third baseman Josh Vitters (2007 draft) moves from Class A Daytona to Class AA Tennessee, and pitcher Andrew Cashner goes from Tennessee to Iowa.

Reliever Esmailin Caridad, who made a rehab appearance Thursday at Iowa, will rejoin the Cubs Sunday. He could come off the disabled list then or Monday. He's been out since mid-April with a right-forearm strain.