Theo Epstein met with the media prior to Tuesday’s game with the Reds and provided an update on Jorge Soler. Epstein said the initial reports they received on Soler indicated that his leg needs more time to heal. Soler has been out since June 14 with a stress fracture in his left tibia. Soler will remain in a walking boot and will likely miss the remainder of Daytona’s season.
Jorge Soler could still play in the Arizona Fall League which begins on October 8. The Mesa Solar Sox could have a couple of the Cubs top prospects on their roster this fall.
Kris Bryant and Dan Vogelbach
To borrow a line from Bull Durham, Kris Bryant and Dan Vogelbach announced their presence with authority. Vogelbach and Bryant both made their D-Cubs’ debuts on Tuesday and both sluggers hit home runs in their second at bats.
Dan Vogelbach went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in the first game. Vogelbach went 0-for-3 in the nightcap of the twin bill. Vogelbach was the designated hitter in game one and played first base in game two.
Kris Bryant started at third in game two and went 1-for-3 with a home run.
Pierce Johnson started the first game and picked up the win after throwing 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball. Johnson allowed at least one runner to reach in every inning but was able to make the pitches when he needed to. Johnson gave up four hits, walked three batters and struck out seven.
News and Notes
According to a report from Bruce Miles, Josh Vitters will see playing time in the outfield and at third base in Iowa. Vitters started at first base on Tuesday night … while Mike Olt was at third.
Theo Epstein said on Tuesday that any international player who is in their mid-twenties and unrestricted will be of interest to all 30 teams according to Bruce Levine. Could the Cubs get into the mix for Cuban slugger Jose Abreu? And the answer is no. According to a report from Comcast SportsNet, the Cubs are not expected to get into what could be a very expensive bidding war for Jose Abreu.
Kyle Hendricks made his second Triple-A start on Tuesday. Hendricks allowed four runs on eight hits with three walks, a wild pitch and seven strikeouts. Hendricks threw 102 pitches, 66 for strikes, in five innings.
The Cubs do not have any plans to play Junior Lake in the infield for the remainder of the season.
Theo Epstein indicated on Tuesday that due to the lack of catching prospects in the system that the organization has targeted three players to convert to catchers. Reports did not indicate which players but those players will begin the conversion this fall during the instructional league.
Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Dale Sveum will soon discuss which players will be called up when rosters expand in September. Sveum said they do not “want to crowd the locker room with people that are not going to play” but there are players the Cubs would like to see “get their feet wet and get some playing time before next season.”