Rookie Jim Bullinger will make his first start Saturday against the Houston Astros.
Bullinger (1-2) is a converted shortstop who was a starting pitcher in the minor leagues the last three seasons before moving to the bullpen with Triple-A Iowa this year.
In 20 games at Iowa, Bullinger was 1-2 with a 2.45 earned-run average and 14 saves-most in the American Association at the time.
He was called up to the Cubs on May 26 and had seven saves in as many tries from June 8-19.
After a couple of poor outings in early July, Bullinger moved to middle relief. Now he is being moved into the rotation because of a lingering injury to fifth starter Shawn Boskie.
”I`m excited because it means I`ll get to pitch more,” said Bullinger, who wanted more work than he was able to get in recent weeks. ”I either want to be a closer or a starter. Right now, I`m a starter. That`s great.”
Armed and ready: Bullinger had his longest relief appearance by far in Tuesday`s 17-inning marathon, when he worked four scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. He says that appearance shouldn`t hinder his start Saturday.
”I only threw about 50 pitches,” he said. ”That`s not much. I`ll throw a little on the side (Thursday) and I`ll be ready to go.”
Coming back: Boskie threw hard off the mound Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month. He has been on the disabled list since June 27 and hasn`t appeared in a game since July 16 because of recurring tenderness in a muscle that runs down his neck and under his collarbone.
Trainer John Fierro and pitching coach Billy Connors monitored the brief workout Wednesday, and Fierro said Boskie threw without pain. Boskie said he felt some discomfort, but otherwise things went ”pretty good.” The earliest Boskie is expected back would be about 10 days, but it probably will be be longer.
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Wet ones: Wednesday was team poster day at Wrigley Field, but the survival rate was pretty low for the freebies. More than a few posters were turned into makeshift head covers when a steady rain delayed the start of the game more than two hours.
Big bucks: The 1948-style uniform that Ryne Sandberg wore against the Phillies on Nostalgia Day in Philadelphia earlier this year has been auctioned for $3,500. The uniform, autographed by Sandberg, was the top-priced item auctioned by the Phillies as part of an annual charity event.