Cubs hope new approach pays off for Olt

CHICAGO -- Manager Rick Renteria can see a difference in Mike Olt, and hopes it results in a strong finish to the season. Olt, who batted .302 with Triple-A Iowa after struggling to hit .139 with the Cubs, has simplified his approach, and it looks like it's working.

"Watching him in batting practice, it looks like his stance is a bit wider, and he doesn't have a lot of movement," Renteria said Saturday. "It's a simple load-and-go kind of approach, and you can see he's keeping his head down on the ball more now. Those are things he was working on."

Olt joined the Cubs on Friday after playing two games for Class A Kane County as part of a rehab from a hamstring strain. One thing that hasn't changed since Opening Day is Olt's attitude.

"Even when he left, he was still a confident individual," Renteria said. "I think he had an idea of what he wanted to work on. He worked on it, started having some success, and we're hoping he's back."

With Anthony Rizzo sidelined because of low back tightness, Olt will likely start at first base.

"Getting back here and getting some more at-bats at the Major League level to see where he's at is something he wants to see, too," Renteria said. "It's good for us to have him here."