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McLeod likes where he's at with Cubs

BOSTON - Jason McLeod is staying in the Cubs' front office.

The team's senior vice president for scouting and player development was much talked about for the general manager's job in San Diego. But McLeod has taken himself out of the running.

"Obviously, I'm very humbled and flattered that the Padres were interested," McLeod said Monday at Fenway Park. "That's my hometown team. It's always been kind of a dream job for me, but as I got to sit and reflect and think about it, this is just where I want to be right now.

"We've got so many good things going on right now. To sound corny, we put a lot of blood, sweat tears into this. I really want to be here when we win."

McLeod and his scouts have gotten credit for helping to restock the Cubs' farm system. So for that reason, his bosses may be glad he's staying.

"Theo (team president Epstein) and I would have been thrilled for him had he gotten the job," said general manager Jed Hoyer. "In this business, there are only 30 of those jobs. We want him to have that opportunity.

"But it means a lot to us personally that he wanted to stay and professionally as well. I think Jason knows what we're doing here, and he's been such a huge part of what we're trying to build. I think he feels like he's been here for some short-term pain.

"We knew that was part of his opportunity, was living through some short-term pain. I think he sees the picture coming into focus, and I think he wants to be a part of that."

Perhaps some other day.

"Certainly being a GM is something I still really hope to do sometime in the future," McLeod said. "Right now, I felt this is where I want to be. The Ricketts family (Cubs owners) has been great, and working with Theo and Jed, everything we've got going on."

Injury updates:

Manager Rick Renteria said infielder-outfielder Emilio Bonifacio has gone to Arizona to step up his rehab from an oblique strain that put him on the disabled list June 13.

Minor-league outfielder Jorge Soler has been in Arizona rehabbing a hamstring injury. Jed Hoyer said Soler would take Monday off and play nine innings in right field Tuesday for the Cubs' Mesa (Rookie) club. It's hoped Soler soon can return to Class AA Tennessee, where he has played in only seven games.

Pitching prospect C.J. Edwards is throwing in Arizona as he comes back from shoulder fatigue. Hoyer said the Cubs are hopeful Edwards can pitch in a competitive setting again this season.

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