Cubs' bullpen undergoes overhaul

With any major-league team, the bullpen is critical to success. It also is one of the most fickle parts of any team.

In the span of 24 hours, the Chicago Cubs' bullpen has gotten a significant makeover.

Before Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs placed left-handed reliever Clayton Richard on the 15-day disabled list because of a blister on his left middle finger and an injury to his fingernail.

The Cubs also optioned right-handed reliever Adam Warren to Class AAA Iowa for him to get him stretched out to make at least 1 spot start before the all-star break and perhaps another after the break. That's aimed at giving the current five starters a rest during a long stretch of games without a day off before the all-star break.

To fill the roster spots, the Cubs recalled right-hander Spencer Patton from Iowa and selected the contract of left-handed reliever Gerardo Concepcion from Iowa.

On Monday, the Cubs recalled right handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. from Iowa to replace center fielder Dexter Fowler, who also went on the disabled list.

Warren appeared in 25 games, going 3-1 with a 4.56 ERA. Richard has struggled most of the year, going 0-1 with a 7.30 ERA.

"His finger's pretty nasty looking, Clayton's," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "So that will be good to give him a little bit of a break before we get him going again."

The Cubs obtained Warren last winter from the New York Yankees in a trade for infielder Starlin Castro. Maddon said both Warren and Richard took the news of their situations well.

"That's the other thing that's really apparent through having the conversation with him and just talking to Clayton, the quality of the players we have in this room," Maddon said. "These guys are so into the Cubs winning. The conversation and the maturity of the conversation is outstanding.

"I'm just saying that because I don't even know if people understand that about our guys. I think I mention it often, but the quality of these guys is incredible. And their only agenda is for us to win. It doesn't happen everywhere. I'm just telling you that. That's why, for me as a manager, to be surrounded by players and people like that, I feel pretty much honored."

About the new guys:

Spencer Patton came to the Cubs last November in a trade with Texas. He has 8 saves and a 1.04 ERA with Iowa. The Cubs called him up in early May. He got into a game May 7 against the Nationals, giving up a hit and walk to the only two batters he faced.

"Patton we loved in spring training," Joe Maddon said. "I know the one outing here wasn't that good, but that doesn't matter to me. His body of work has been good so give him an opportunity."

The Cubs originally signed Concepcion, 24, out of Cuba to a five-year major-league contract in March 2012. Injuries and illness hampered him throughout his early career, and he entered this season with a minor league record of 6-11 with a 5.57 ERA.

This season, however, he was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 22 appearances between Class AA Tennessee and Iowa. At Tennessee, he turned in 17⅔ scoreless innings, earning a promotion to Triple-A.

The election campaign:

Center fielder Dexter Fowler went on the disabled list among the leaders in all-star balloting. He said he's flattered to be thought of by the fans.

"Yeah, it's awesome," he said. "I tell my wife all the time I didn't know that many people knew who I was. It's definitely awesome, and hopefully I can still play if I make it."

Fowler has a strained right hamstring, and the Cubs are hopeful it's a short-term injury.