So long, Hector.
The Cubs finally succumbed to the inevitable and sent Hector Villanueva back to the minor leagues.
Villanueva, the pudgy catcher who has become something of a national legend for his physique, was demoted Wednesday after hitting just .162 in 38 games. The last time he started a game was June 20, when he was hitless in two at-bats against the Phillies.
Last year, as a rookie, Villanueva hit .275 with 13 homers in 123 games.
The way he was hitting, his demotion was inevitable because the Cubs have been carrying three catchers since left-handed-hitting Rick Wilkins was recalled June 19. Wilkins was batting .320 when Villanueva was sent down.
Villanueva`s spot on the roster was taken by Jeff Kunkel, 30, who was acquired in a trade Tuesday. The Cubs sent speedy outfielder Ced Landrum to the Milwaukee Brewers` Triple-A affiliate in Denver for Kunkel.
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”We just needed someone we felt would be more productive,” said General Manager Larry Himes.
Kunkel will wear George Bell`s old No. 11. He is a lifetime .224 hitter in 337 major-league games spread over seven seasons, but he was batting .277 with nine home runs and 47 runs batted in at Denver this year.
Turk`s travail: Right-hander Turk Wendell, recovering from a stress fracture in his elbow, has begun a limited throwing program. Himes said Wendell would come to Chicago for an X-ray at the end of the month and if all was well Wendell could be back pitching for Triple-A Iowa by August. Wendell, obtained from the Braves in the Mike Bielecki-Damon Berryhill trade last summer, was 2-0 with a 1.44 earned-run average at Iowa before his fracture was discovered.
Harkey`s return: Himes says Mike Harkey will have at least two more minor-league starts before being called back to the Cubs. Harkey was 12-6 as a rookie in 1990, but had shoulder surgery last season. He is scheduled to pitch Thursday for Iowa and then for Double-A Charlotte next Wednesday. The reason Harkey is going to Charlotte is the Triple-A club will be on its All-Star break next week.
Low Kal: Left-fielder Kal Daniels left Wednesday`s game after four innings with a strained right groin. He hurt it falling backward against the ivy on a sacrifice fly that he misplayed, but managed to catch. Trainer John Fierro said Daniels` status would be evaluated daily.