Extra bases
• Steve Clevenger was batting .385 in 11 rehab games with Triple-A Iowa, and Cubs manager Dale Sveum said they've talked about possibly adding him to the big league roster.
"It's an option," Sveum said of Clevenger, who has played two games at third, one at first, and eight games as the catcher at Iowa.
The only catch is, the Cubs have enough left-handed bats. Clevenger did open the season with the Cubs, giving them a third catcher. Sveum liked having the versatility to use Clevenger or Dioner Navarro to pinch-hit at any time.
Clevenger could've subbed at first on Tuesday when Anthony Rizzo was given a day off. Instead, Cody Ransom started there, the first time he's done so since one game last year with the Brewers. Before that, Ransom had not played first since three games in 2010 with the Phillies. Sveum has talked about giving shortstop Starlin Castro a breather, too. Who would start at short? Naturally, Ransom.
• Cubs No. 3 prospect Jorge Soler was placed on the seven-day disabled list Tuesday because of a sore shin. Soler is playing for Class A Daytona, batting .281 with eight home runs, 13 doubles, one triple and 35 RBIs in 55 games.
At Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Chris Rusin threw his first shutout, leading the team to a 2-0 win over Omaha. Rusin struck out eight, scattered five hits and walked one. He got all the offense he needed from solo homers by Donnie Murphy and Brian Bogusevic.
• Dropkick Murphys front man Ken Casey has been added to the Hot Stove Cool Music lineup, set to take place at Wrigleyville's Metro on Friday. Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper will join an all-star lineup of musicians and personalities for the second annual Chicago benefit concert.
Proceeds will benefit Chicago area non-profit prorgrams funded by Epstein's Foundation To Be Named Later, as well as victims of the Boston Marathon. A limited number of tickets are available, and can be purchased online at Metro Chicago.
Poi Dog Pondering, Brede Baldwin, Jimmy Chamberlin from Smashing Pumpkins, the Parkington Sisters, Scott Lucas from Local H, the Hot Stove All-Stars, and former Letters to Cleo vocalist Kay Hanley also will perform.
Hot Stove Cool Music was founded in 2000 by Gammons and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan. The biannual event has raised more than $5.5 million for Epstein's foundation. Foundation To Be Named Later was founded in 2005 by Epstein and his brother, Paul, as a means to create positive opportunities for disadvantaged children and families.