Cubs claim infielder Valbuena off waivers, outright right-hander De La Cruz

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today claimed infielder Luis Valbuena off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays and outrighted right-handed pitcher Frankie De La Cruz to Triple-A Iowa.

Valbuena, 26, is a career .226 hitter (166-for-735) in all or part of four major league seasons with Seattle (2008) and Cleveland (2009-11).  The versatile infielder has seen playing time at second base (175 games), shortstop (35 games) and third base (10 games).  He has 42 doubles, 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 229 big league games.

With Triple-A Columbus last season, Valbuena batted .302 (127-for-420) with 22 doubles, 17 home runs and 75 RBI in 113 games.  He posted a .372 on-base percentage and a .476 slugging percentage, good for an .848 OPS.  He was a mid-season and post-season International League All-Star.

The left-handed batter and right-handed thrower recorded major league career highs in 2009 with 25 doubles, 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 103 games with the Indians.  Valbuena played 91 games in 2010 and 17 games at the big league level in 2011.

De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the Cubs from Milwaukee on March 16.