Schlitter returns to Cubs' bullpen; Lake down
CHICAGO -- The Cubs added reinforcements for the bullpen, recalling right-handed pitcher Brian Schlitter from Triple-A Iowa and optioning outfielder Junior Lake to the Minor League team.
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Schlitter went to work immediately, earning the win after scoreless relief in the 11th inning of the Cubs' 2-1 victory over the Reds on Sunday night.
Schlitter had been with the big league team for two previous stints, and was a combined 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in nine appearances. In 14 relief appearances at Iowa, he was 2-0 with five saves and a 1.12 ERA.
Lake, 25, was batting .224 with four doubles, one home run and five RBIs in 21 games with the Cubs.
• Cubs manager Joe Maddon met with starter Tsuyoshi Wada, who is winless in five starts and has not finished the fourth inning in his last two outings. Maddon said he got the lefty to smile during their chat. Wada's next start is Tuesday against the Indians.
"I'm really eager to see him play now," Maddon said.
• Cubs rookie Kris Bryant knows all about the butterflies top prospects Byron Buxton of the Twins and Francisco Lindor of the Indians must have been feeling as they made their Major League debuts Sunday. Bryant made his debut on April 17. Any advice?
"Enjoy it," Bryant said. "I think that's the best thing. Enjoy it. You only have one debut, you only have one first pitch in the big leagues, you only have one play. Enjoy it and take it all in. That's what I told [teammate Addison Russell], too."
• In his second rehab start for Double-A Tennessee, Jacob Turner gave up two hits and walked one over five scoreless innings, striking out three. The right-hander, who has been on the disabled list since March 27 with right shoulder inflammation, threw 63 pitches, 36 for strikes, and got the win as the Smokies beat Jacksonville, 4-1.
• On Saturday, fans who attended the Cubs' game received a Maddon bobblehead, which was believed to be the fourth of the manager, who was so honored three times while skipper of the Rays.
"It's very complimentary," Maddon said. "It's weird, it's always strange, the attraction. I fail to see it. I know the fans dig it. It's fun, and if the people enjoy it, let's do it."
• Maddon also was not sure what to expect Monday night when the Cubs play the Indians at Wrigley and the Blackhawks try to clinch the Stanley Cup Final at the United Center in Chicago. The two sports facilities are about six miles apart but the Wrigleyville area is a hot spot for fans to celebrate if the Blackhawks win.
• Saturday's Cubs game was delayed 2 hours and 48 minutes because of rain, and during that time, the Stanley Cup broadcast was aired on the new video boards at Wrigley.
"[Saturday], the rain delay could not have been more perfectly timed," Maddon said. "Fans got to see a doubleheader here. Great TV to watch [the Blackhawks game] on, concessions, and the romance of being at the ballpark with the rain going on. It was a pretty cool venue last night."
Can he imagine how Cubs fans might celebrate if they win a World Series?
"I know that our fans will react in an extraordinary way," Maddon said. "I'm locked into today, and I don't worry about that stuff. I think our fans are great as they are. [If] we take care of business, it'll bloom even more."