5/31 Line-up and Notes

LF Soriano
SS Theriot
RF Bradley
1B Lee
CF Johnson
C Soto
2B Scales
3B Fontenot
P Marshall

• Lou said that when Big Z and Harden return to the rotation, he'd like to see/put Sean Marshall in the pen, and Keep Wells in the rotation. Only because the team needs a true lefty in the pen.
  
• Harden throw another bullpen session and reported no problems, and could throw off mound on Tuesday. No return date is set as of Sunday Afternoon.
  
• Ryan Dempster, who has a blister on the index finger of his right hand, will pitch either next Friday or Saturday for the Cubs.
• The Cubs released Minor League outfielder Richie Robnett.

Don't forget, off-day Monday.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Notes on the Cubs front

BREAKING: Lou Piniella pulled Dempster after seven innings for precautionary reasons due to a blister he's been fighting. Dempster will be re-evaluated on Tuesday and might have to be pushed back a couple of days but will not miss his next start.

• Expect Fontenot to play the majority of the time at third until Aramis returns. I personally want Jake Fox at third and will tolerate the defense.
• Rich Harden has made good progress, and Lou hinted that he could return at the end of the upcoming road schedule.
• Big Z has thrown a bullpen session before Saturdays game, to stay on track for his next start in HotLanta.
• Tyler Colvin, Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick in 2006, has been promoted to AA. You might remember he had Tommy John surgery which ended his 2008 season.

O yeah the Cubs won today 7-0 against those d*mn Dodgers.

It looks like Bradley and Fontenot are heating up, combined they've gone 5/7 on Saturday. I'm waiting anxiously for Soriano to go on a 23 for 60 stretch in which he hits 10 homeruns in 12 games.

Chicago Cubs
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
R Dempster (W, 4-3)	7.0	3	0	0	1	5	0	99-63	4.48

Dempster throw a gem today*********


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Notes on Cubs sale

Thomas Ricketts is closer to purchasing the Cubs then previously thought. It was said that their was a disagreement over the terms of the team's broadcast contract with Tribune's WGN network that left the two sides as much as $50 million apart on the nearly $900-million deal. Some sort of signing could be reached next week, in the form of a commitment letter.

Commitment letters are formal and legally binding documents that are issued by a lender to a loan applicant. The text of the commitment lender contains an offer to extend a loan to the applicant. Within the content of the letter, the exact terms and conditions involved with the loan commitment are specified.

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Im Back

I know all of you have have been missing me, but I am back, and back for good.

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

ARAM...Trade...

UPDATE: Bruce Levine is reporting that Aram will be out 4-6 weeks, most sources have changed it to 4-6 weeks.

Aramis Ramirez will be out 4 to 8 weeks with a dislocated left shoulder, the Brewers medical staff popped it back in.

The Cubs also traded Joey Gathright to the O's for Ryan Freel, that should soften the blow a little bit. I personally think we'll be fine if Derrek Lee can stay healthy, If we can avoid any other serious injury, we should be in good shape.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog Phil Wilson

Notes

The Cubs and the O's are talking about a trade for Ryan Freel trade that would send him to the Cubs. Freel has 3.3 million dollars left on his contract, and would serve as a utility player. Freel, 33, plays all three outfield positions, plus second and third base. The revival of Kosuke Fukudome and emergence of Micah Hoffpauir have left the Cubs more in need of an infielder than an outfielder.

• It other news the Indians are interested in Vizcaino, earlier reports from his agent said that he had been traded.
• Gathright could be sent down when the Cubs call of Randy Wells, the problem is that he can declare free agency if he so wishes.
• Cubs really like Booby Scales, which is a great feel-good story.
  
• Derrek Lee has had neck problems again and he hopes to avoid the DL.

The Cubs bullpen is in disarray, the only reliable options are Marmol, Gregg, and Heilman. Look for the Cubs to upgrade it through a trade or call-ups.

Question of the week: Could Soriano win the MVP if he hits over 45 homeruns, 180 Hits, and bats above .290 plus 30-35 stolen bases. Comment!!

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Roster Moves...Notes...

UPDATE 4:52PM: Today the Cubs optioned Jeff Samardzija to Iowa and recalled Chad Fox.

The Cubs sale is progressing but it's still not close to being finalized. Unnamed source:

"Despite good intentions on both sides, the transaction will not completed by the owners' meeting, said sources familiar with the negotiations. But a second blown deadline is not an indication that the deal is in trouble, sources said. One person who asked not be identified said the sale is "proceeding slowly but proceeding."

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Update

Carlos Zambrano has been placed on the 15 day DL, the Cubs corresponded with calling up Bobby Scales from Iowa. Carlos will be back in two to three weeks.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Big Z..Cubs Win...31...Notes

Big Z was taken out of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a hamstring injury, it looks to be a strain. He had an MRI late Saturday afternoon and will get the details tomorrow, it looks like the He'll miss a start to two. But If he does need to miss a start the Cubs will have to call up a Minor League which means he'll go on the DL or someone will be sent down.

LOU: "I would say right now that's in jeopardy (next start), and if I had to guess, I'd say no (to possibly let him pitch)," Piniella said

Today the Cubs got the win for the third straight game. Big Z got the win, with a little help from Derrek Lee with his go ahead grand slam. Mike Fontenot also had a homer.

Ramirez did have a good workout on Sunday and Lou Piniella said the third baseman was "almost sure" for Monday night's game against the Giants.

Today was a special day for Chicago as the Cubs retired Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins. Both were recognized with there names beginning a new life on each foul poll.

Today I was at the game and it was a special moment when they pulled there flags on each foul poll, I'd like to congratulate both Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson