The Cubs appear close to calling up some young pitchers from the minors to bolster their ineffective middle relief corps.
”We could do it anytime. We`re talking about some things,” said manager Gene Michael, who noted that Drew Hall, Mike Mason and Jay Baller have been impressive at Triple-A Iowa. ”Mason could be a starter, but I think of Hall and Baller as relievers.”
Leon Durham`s homer Monday was his 18th of the year and the 126th of his Cub career, tying him for eighth on the all-time Cub list with Andy Pafko.
Reliever Lee Smith complained of a tender arm after Sunday`s game. ”Smitty`s arm is a little tired on the outer part of the bicep,” Michael said.
Shortstop Shawon Dunston, on the DL with a broken finger, is progressing on schedule and should be able to return in 10 days to two weeks.
Right-hander Bob Tewksbury, who is 0-3 since being acquired from the Yankees in the Steve Trout trade, will work out of the bullpen for a while, at least. He made his first relief appearance as a Cub Monday, working a scoreless eighth inning.
Scott Sanderson will start in Tewksbury`s place Tuesday night against the Pirates` Mike Dunne.
”Tewksbury`s control has been off,” Michael said. ”He has to be fine to be effective and obviously he`s walking people. That`s not normal for him. ”Sanderson wants to be a starter; he`s always wanted to be a starter. Until the last two outings or so, he had done a good job out of the bullpen.”
