Cubs add Wada, Lake and Baxter in shakeup

SAN DIEGO -- Tsuyoshi Wada, Junior Lake and Mike Baxter joined the Cubs on Tuesday, part of a series of roster moves.

Wada, who replaces Phil Coke on the roster, was activated from the disabled list and will make his first start Wednesday against the Padres, taking Travis Wood's spot in the rotation. The left-handed reliever Coke was designated for assignment after posting a 6.30 ERA in 16 games with the Cubs, giving up seven earned runs on 14 hits and three walks over 10 innings. The Cubs had signed the lefty to a Minor League contract on March 5.

Lake and Baxter joined the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa and took the roster spots of reliever Brian Schlitter, who was optioned to Iowa, and catcher Welington Castillo, who was traded earlier in the day to the Mariners for right-handed pitcher Yoervis Medina, who will report to Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs had 14 pitchers on the 25-man roster Saturday and Sunday, and three of their position players were catchers, which didn't give manager Joe Maddon much flexibility.

"It balances [the bench] a little better now," Maddon said of the addition of Lake and Baxter.

Lake was recalled for his second stint with the Cubs this season. He appeared in four games, going 4-for-14, with the big league team. The outfielder was batting .250 at Iowa.

The Cubs selected the contract of Baxter, 30, who was batting .290 in 34 games at Iowa, and can play outfield and first base. Iowa manager Marty Pevey called Baxter Tuesday morning with the news.

"I got to the airport, and I'm thrilled to be back," said Baxter, a non-roster invitee this spring.

Schlitter was 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in nine games with the Cubs.