Steve Trout, who went on the disabled list May 5 with a deep thigh bruise, makes his first major league appearance since May 2 Tuesday against the Phillies. The left-hander pitched eight scoreless innings last Thursday for Class A Peoria.
Trout`s reactivation spurred one of two roster moves the Cubs made Monday. The other was predicated upon the team`s need for more left-handed hitters.
The Cubs sent down pitchers Mike Mason and Drew Hall to Iowa, from where they recalled lefty-swinging outfielder Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro was hitting .302 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs in 56 games. He had a .552 slugging percentage. Palmeiro was added because the Cubs had just three left-handed hitters on the roster. Since the three lefties–Dave Martinez, Jerry Mumphrey and Leon Durham–start against right-handers, Michael often has had no left-handed pinch hitters. That left the manager Gene Michael at a late-inning disadvantage against such pitchers as Cardinal reliever Todd Worrell.
”Palmeiro will play right away, but that doesn`t mean he`ll take Mumphrey`s spot,” Michael said. ”For me, Mumphrey`s a .330 hitter. I can`t even think that high.”
Pitcher Scott Sanderson reported his groin was ”a little sore” Monday. Sanderson pulled groin muscles throwing a pitch in Sunday`s game in St. Louis. ”He could conceivably miss one start,” said Michael. ”I`ll be back as soon as I can–maybe two days before I should,” Sanderson said.
