Coghlan grateful for this chance
Chris Coghlan had to bide his time and perform at Class AAA Iowa after going to spring training with the Cubs as a nonroster player.
He got "the call" after Cubs outfielder Ryan Sweeney injured his right hamstring in Friday's victory over the Cardinals.
On Saturday, the Cubs selected the contract of Coghlan from Iowa and placed Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Coghlan might be here awhile. Sweeney could be out either 2-4 weeks, according to the Cubs.
The 28-year-old Coghlan was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Marlins, for whom he played until last year. At Iowa in 24 games, he had a line of .243/.379/.314 with 5 doubles, 6 RBI and 13 walks in 70 at-bats.
"Anytime you're in Triple-A, it's humbling," he said. "It's a grind. I was grateful for the opportunity play every day and get back here.
"There's no guarantees. That's this industry. ... I came with the expectation that I was going to make the team, to be on the team. That's what I expected out of camp. It didn't work out for whatever reason, but I'm here now, so I'm grateful."
The Cubs made additional roster moves Saturday. Pitcher Jake Arrieta came off the disabled list to start against the Cardinals. Left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup was optioned to Class AAA Iowa. To make room for Coghlan on the 40-man roster, the Cubs transferred injured reliever Kyuji Fujikawa (elbow) from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.
By any other name:
Before Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals, Cubs manager Rick Renteria termed his bullpen and closer situations "fluid." That was in response to whether Hector Rondon is the closer after he saved Friday's victory.
"Rondon has been used in that particular situation, but it's still again fluid," Renteria said. "Depending on the situation, depending on who's available, we'll see where we're at in terms of who we use in those particular innings."
After the game, "fluid" had changed to a different word.
"It's organic still, "Renteria said.
This and that:
First baseman Anthony Rizzo has homered in three straight games and walked in four straight. He leads the team with 20 bases on balls ... Junior Lake had a season-high 3 hits, including a 2-run homer. He is 6-for-13 against the Cardinals this year ... Starlin Castro is 12-for-28 (.429) with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 5 RBI in seven games since moving into the cleanup spot on April 25.