MILWAUKEE — Manager Lou Piniella said Chad Tracy will platoon at third base with Jeff Baker and that’s good news for Tracy, who hit .273 in limited duty earlier this season.
That’s because the left-handed batter hit .396 in 26 games while playing every day at Class AAA Iowa.
“This game is meant to be played every day to be on top of your game,” Tracy said.
With Aramis Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list, Tracy should be able to find more major league time after signing during the offseason. He also did what he was supposed to do, despite his disappointment at the demotion.
“You continually have to re-prove yourself in this game,” he said. “I went down there and took some good at-bats and had some success and hopefully opened some eyes.”
Tracy has hit .280 with 78 homers in the majors, mostly with the Diamondbacks.
Draft doings: The Cubs completed all 50 rounds of the amateur draft Wednesday, selecting three more Illinois college players and two Chicago-area high school infielders.
In the 37th round, they chose Northwestern catcher Chad Noble, who was the batterymate of the Cubs’ 11th-round choice, Eric Jokisch. They also picked right-hander Danny Winkler from Parkland College in Champaign (43rd round) and right-hander Jerad Eickhoff from Olney Central College (46th).
The high schoolers were Eric Paulson from Fremd (48th round) and Eric Jagielo from Downers Grove (50th).
Overall, the Cubs selected 31 pitchers (24 right-handers and seven lefties), 11 infielders, four outfielders and four catchers. Only 15 of the players were high schoolers.
Extra innings: Lefty Ted Lilly became the first Cub since Sheriff Blake in 1926 to have five consecutive quality starts and no victories, the consequence of receiving little run support. … Despite limited playing time Tyler Colvin is third in home runs by NL rookies (six entering Wednesday), behind Jayson Hayward of the Braves (10) and Ike Davis of the Mets (seven).
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