Kevin Foster’s 2-3 record won’t reflect it, but he has been one of the Cubs’ most effective starters.
Foster’s eight-inning, one-run, 10-strikeout, no-decision performance against the Reds on Saturday left the 25-year-old Evanston native with one victory, two losses and three no decisions in his last six starts.
In 38 1/3 innings over that span, he allowed 13 earned runs for a 3.05 ERA. His ERA for the season is 2.89.
Spot starter: Jim Bullinger will start against the Reds on Sunday, replacing Steve Trachsel, who will miss one turn because of a blister on his right hand.
Manager Tom Trebelhorn is confident that Trachsel will return to the regular rotation next Friday in St. Louis.
Trebelhorn on Saturday described Trachsel, Bullinger and the Cubs’ other starting pitchers a “surplus area” from which the Cubs might make a trade to bolster their hitting.
The Cubs have been using a five-man starting rotation consisting of Trachsel, Willie Banks, Anthony Young, Foster and Mike Morgan. Only Morgan is older than 28.
“We’ve been trying to get starts for Bullinger,” said Trebelhorn. That makes six. Jose Guzman, currently on the disabled list, and Frank Castillo, currently at Iowa, are likely to join the Cubs in September and swell the list of potential starters to eight.
“The usual ways to strengthen a team are through free-agent signings or trading your surplus for somebody else’s surplus, thus helping both teams,” said Trebelhorn.
Sidelined: Shawon Dunston was withheld from Saturday’s lineup because of tightness in his left hamstring.
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He was injured running out a single Friday. Jose Hernandez started at short Saturday.
Reds first baseman Hal Morris, removed from Friday’s game after he sustained a mild concussion, felt dizzy Saturday and did not play.
Farm report: The Cubs’ Class-A Peoria Chiefs won their seventh straight game 5-4 in 11 innings over Ft. Wayne. First baseman Alex Cabrera had his hitting string snapped at 19 games.
Third baseman Gil Avolos extended his string to 11 games. Class-A Daytona beat Clearwater 8-6 as outfielder Paul Torres had three hits and two RBIs.