LOS ANGELES — Chris Valaika will make his first start for the Chicago Cubs at third base Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This marks a special moment for Valaika, 28, who will be making his first major league start since May 7, 2013, at San Diego while playing for the Miami Marlins. Valaika was promoted Friday from Triple-A Iowa and grew up 30 minutes north of Dodger Stadium.
Justin Ruggiano returns to the Cubs’ lineup and will play right field.
Also, former Cubs left-hander Paul Maholm is likely out for the rest of the season after an MRI revealed a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Maholm, now a reliever with the Dodgters, suffered the injury while covering first base Friday.
Here’s the Cubs’ lineup:
Alcantara 2B
Coghlan LF
Rizzo 1B
Castro SS
Ruggiano RF
Castillo C
Valaika 3B
Lake CF
Wada P
