If the Cubs trade reliever Randy Myers, the leading candidate to step in as closer probably would be Jim Bullinger.
“He would definitely be a candidate-maybe the first guy we would look at,” said General Manager Larry Himes.
“At this point, Bullinger may be the MVP of our staff this year. He’s closed for us, worked middle relief and started. He’s got the stuff to do it all, and he’s staring to get the confidence where he knows he’s going to get the hitter.”
Bullinger is 4-2 with a 3.47 earned-run average, one complete game, two saves and 56 strikeouts in 62 innings.
Slippery Banks: Three weeks ago, it looked as if Willie Banks was emerging as a solid No. 2 starter for the future. Since then, he has reverted to the inconsistency that plagued him with the Minnesota Twins last season. In his last three starts, Banks has lasted only 14 2/3 innings and given up 23 hits, 10 walks and 20 runs. His ERA is 12.27.
Parade of pitchers: When Randy Veres made his National League debut against the Rockies and got his first major-league victory on Wednesday, he became the 17th pitcher the Cubs have used this year. That’s as many as they used all last season. Veres had been out of the major leagues for three years. He last pitched in the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1990.