Cubs recall OF Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa, LHP Clayton Richard designated for assignment

PITTSBURGH - The Chicago Cubs today recalled outfielder Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa. Left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard has been designated for assignment.

Szczur will be available for the Cubs tonight as they begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

The 26-year-old Szczur joins the Cubs for the fifth time this season, as he was a member of Chicago's Opening Day roster until April 19, and was with the club from May 6-15, from June 2-6 and again from June 22-July 4. He is batting .211 (12-for-57) with three doubles, one homer and eight RBI in 32 games with the Cubs this season. Szczur joins the Cubs riding a 12-game hitting streak with Iowa, and he has batted .295 (66-for-224) with 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 26 RBI in 58 games this season.

Szczur made his major league debut with the Cubs last August and batted .226 (14-for-62) with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI in 33 games. He has played 26 games in left field, 14 games in center field and 14 games in right field during his big league career. Overall, Szczur has batted .218 (26-for-119) with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI in 65 career major league games.

Richard, 31, is 2-0 with a 4.29 ERA (10 ER/21.0 IP) in four appearances (three starts) with the Cubs this season.