The Cubs placed Kyuji Fujikawa on the 15-day DL prior to Saturday’s game with a muscle strain in his right forearm. The Cubs quickly clarified Fujikawa’s elbow is fine that the injury is to the muscle in his forearm.
The Cubs recalled Rafael Dolis from Triple-A Iowa to fill Fujikawa’s spot in the bullpen. Dale Sveum said the Cubs will go with closer by committee until Fujikawa returns. Carlos Marmol and Rafael Dolis will not be part of said committee. So basically Sveum will play matchups with James Russell and Shawn Camp when the Cubs have a lead in the ninth inning.
Darwin Barney began his rehab assignment with the I-Cubs on Saturday. Barney is scheduled to play with the I-Cubs through Monday. The Cubs are expected to activate Barney from the 15-day DL prior to Tuesday’s opener against the Rangers.
Ian Stewart will begin a rehab assignment with the I-Cubs on Sunday. No timetable yet on when Stewart could join the big league team.
Steve Clevenger
Steve Clevenger was scheduled to make his second start at third base on Sunday, but he will likely be added to the disabled list instead.
Steve Clevenger grabbed his back as he swung at and missed the last pitch of Saturday’s game. Clevenger could not bend his back and lay on the dirt around home plate in the fetal position for several minutes. Clevenger was helped off the field, is obvious pain. Clevenger could not stand up straight.
Clevenger went for a MRI following the game to determine the severity of the injury. Bruce Levine reported Clevenger has either a strained or torn left oblique. Look for Clevenger to be placed on the DL prior to Sunday’s game.
The Cubs could play with a 24-man roster on Sunday. With Monday’s off day, and Iowa playing late on Saturday, if Clevenger is unable to play the official roster moves could wait until Tuesday.
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman will not face his former team during the upcoming series at Wrigley. Feldman is dealing with back tightness and will be skipped this time through the rotation. The Cubs have Monday off, which gives Dale Sveum the flexibility to skip Feldman. The Cubs will go with Travis Wood (Tuesday), Carlos Villanueva (Wednesday) and Jeff Samardzija (Thursday) in the series with the Rangers. If Feldman is still dealing with the nagging injury, he could be looking at a trip to the DL.
News Bits
Nate Schierholtz received his World Series ring from the Giants on Saturday.
Scott Baker flew to Chicago and met with team doctors. This appears to be a routine checkup on his progress. Baker has been rehabbing at the Cubs’ facilities in Mesa.
The I-Cubs placed Josh Vitters on the 7-day DL on Friday with a sore back.