Catcher Jody Davis` health has improved and he could be back by the end of the week, Cubs` manager Jim Frey said Tuesday.
However, both Frey and Cubs` general manager Dallas Green haven`t ruled out acquiring another catcher as insurance should Davis not continue to improve from a viral infection that has sidelined him for the last five games. Davis left the club in St. Louis last Friday to undergo blood tests at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Davis was diagnosed as suffering from anemia and internal bleeding in addition to the viral infection.
”We talked to the doctors today, and they said it isn`t as serious as originally feared,” Frey explained. ”He could be back in a couple of days.” But if Davis does not come back, Frey did not rule out placing him on the disabled list.
The club did make one roster move before the start of the three-game series with the New York Mets Tuesday. The Cubs recalled outfielder Billy Hatcher from their Triple A farm team in Des Moines and optioned outfielder Darrin Jackson to the team`s Pittsfield Double A club.
”I`m not going to rush Jody to use him,” Frey said. ”I`ll probably let him catch a few innings and pinch-hit. He`s not going to start the day he gets back.”
One of the major concerns with Davis is whether his current problems are connected with the bleeding ulcer he had five years ago. At that time, when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals` organization, Davis was in a life-threatening situation. He lost nearly 50 pounds and had to undergo numerous blood transfusions.
