Extra bases

By Carrie Muskat

May 22, 2013

• Sveum met with the relievers in his office for a few minutes prior to Wednesday's game to go over their roles and clarify that there was no long man.

Carlos Villanueva would seem a logical choice for that role, but Sveum said the right-hander, recently moved from the rotation to the bullpen, was too valuable to be used only in long relief.

Kevin Gregg remains the closer, and he is 6-for-6 in save situations.

• Albert Almora, the Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick last year, joined Class A Kane County and was activated for Wednesday's game at Peoria. Catcher Carlos Escobar was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Monday.

Almora, rated by MLB.com as the organization's No. 2 prospect, split his first professional season with Mesa in the Rookie League and Class A Boise last season, batting a combined .321 with two home runs and 19 RBIs.

He broke the hamate bone in his left hand in Spring Training and had been rehabbing in Mesa, Ariz.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.