Scuffling Colvin could go to minors

It's been anything but a fun start to the season for Tyler Colvin, who, thanks to an 0-for-12 run, is hitting just .113. On top of that, he has started just 13 of 38 games.

“It's been awful for Tyler, it really has,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “There's no other way around it. I haven't been able to find as many (spots) as I want. And other people are as responsible for that as Tyler is.

“Tyler got in a tough situation where a lot of guys were swinging the bat well and he was struggling ... it's a heck of a balance to come in here every day and try to keep him involved and get him to where he was last year while you're also trying to win ballgames and do justice to a club that's got other guys hitting.”

It's beginning to sound more and more likely that Colvin might be spending some time in the minors sooner rather than later in order to get some more consistent playing time.

Asked about that possibility, Quade said: “We need to get him involved someway, somehow. That's been on my mind for the past few days. We're going to see how this homestand plays out and take a look at that.”

Roster shuffle:To make room for Saturday starter Doug Davis, the Cubs optioned right-handed reliever Justin Berg to Iowa.In a corresponding move, the Cubs took right-handed pitcher Thomas Diamond off the 40-man roster to the Iowa roster. Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 39 players.Call him the streak:Marlon Byrd's infield single in the fourth inning gave him a 15-game hitting streak, matching his career high from 2003.Byrd came into the game on fire #8212; hitting .355 in his last 19 games (27-for-76).Tossing the leather:After committing just 2 errors in their last 15 games (.996 fielding percentage), the Cubs committed 3 on Saturday #8212; including a pair by catcher Koyie Hill #8212; in their loss to the Giants. He said it:#8220;It's the worst part of my day, to be honest with you. The five guys who aren't playing bother me more than anything else over the course of the day.#8221; #8212; Cubs manager Mike Quade on his quest to get everyone playing time.