Cubs set to get Soto back, but Gregg to rest
The first-place Chicago Cubs are about to get a key reinforcement in 2008 NL Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto. The catcher began his rehab assignment at Double-A on Monday, going 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI single.
Soto has been sidelined since July 7 with a mild left oblique strain, and the plan was to have him play three days in the minors before joining the Cubs. But now he could be activated Wednesday because Piniella believes backup catcher Koyie Hill needs a day off.
Soto, who had been struggling this year before getting hurt (batting .230 in 69 games), has been sidelined since July 7 with a mild left oblique strain, and the plan was to have him play three days for the minor league team before joining the Cubs in Colorado for a four-game series. Piniella wants Soto activated pronto to give Hill an overdue breather.
“I’m going to see if I can get Soto over here as quickly as I can, so we can give [Koyie Hill] a breather,” Piniella said, adding: “Wednesday wouldn’t be soon enough for me.”
Hill has caught 207 innings since Soto was hurt. That’s nearly three games more — 27 innings — than any other catcher in baseball. The Dodgers’ Russell Martin is next, at 181 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Chicago won the first game of its series with Cincinnati on Monday night and didn’t use closer Kevin Gregg in the 4-2 win. Gregg has a “tired arm” after pitching both Saturday and Sunday in Florida – blowing the save as the Cubs lost the finale.
Gregg won’t close again for sure on Tuesday night against the Reds – bet on it at WagerWeb.com. Carlos Marmol would be the closer, with newcomer John Grabow the top setup option.
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