With a lack of run production continuing to be their major weakness, Augie Ojeda’s superior fielding was a luxury the Cubs could no longer afford. Alex Gonzalez’s return to shortstop prompted Ojeda to be optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
That move ended a run of almost 1 1/2 uninterrupted seasons in the big leagues for the popular Ojeda, who started 12 games while Gonzalez was on the disabled list with a pulled hamstring.
Ojeda went 6-for-35 with one RBI during that stretch, dropping his average to .179 in 2002 and .201 for his career.
Manager Don Baylor loves Ojeda’s glove in the late innings of close games. But that’s not so high a priority as having a hitter like Mark Bellhorn or Chris Stynes.
“We are looking to get back to respectability,” Baylor said. “Then we can worry about defense.”
Ojeda’s fate was sealed when Bellhorn’s jammed wrist checked out during an afternoon workout Saturday. There had been a chance he would be placed on the disabled list.
Team Vice President Jim Hendry, who is on the trip, said it was easier to make a move with Ojeda because he still had minor-league options. While Baylor said Ojeda could be back soon, it could be that the Cubs won’t have to carry a defensive specialist.
“We’ve got Bellhorn, who can play short,” Hendry said. “We’ve also got [former All-American shortstop] Bobby Hill, who wasn’t up here the last time we had to make a decision like this.”
In another move made before Saturday night’s game, the Cubs placed left-hander Ron Mahay on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis and promoted right-hander Courtney Duncan from Iowa.
Baylor felt he needed a fresh arm for the weekend. Both closer Antonio Alfonseca and Joe Borowski were unavailable Saturday because of recent heavy use.
He’s hacking: When Corey Patterson walked to start Saturday’s game, it was only his third walk in 111 at-bats since taking over as the leadoff man on April 23.
He struck out three times Friday night but twice scored runs after leading off innings with hits, including an eighth-inning double pulled into the right-field corner off Octavio Dotel.
While Patterson’s on-base percentage as a leadoff man is only .347, Baylor said he is delighted.
“He’s given us a lot at the top,” he said. “I’m thrilled with his play.”
Time to shine: The stakes are high for Jason Bere, who starts Sunday night against the Astros. He’s 0-7 with an 8.39 ERA in his last seven starts and probably wouldn’t have stayed in the rotation had rookie Juan Cruz not complained about soreness in his bicep after winning the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
Cruz is a possibility to return to the rotation Friday at Wrigley Field. He threw on the side Friday night and was available in the bullpen Saturday.
In the wings: Carlos Zambrano, one of three right-handed relievers on the DL, was unimpressive during a simulated game. His velocity was good, but he was wild.
“He was all over the place,” Baylor said. “I was fearful for the guys I had out there hitting. He was throwing hard. He just didn’t have a feel.”
Zambrano, who had a strained elbow, is eligible to be activated but appears headed for a rehab assignment. Kyle Farnsworth and Tom Gordon are also working their way back from injuries.
It’s possible all three could be back by mid-June, creating a glut in what has been a thin bullpen.
