Steve Trachsel (9-6), coming off the 15-day disabled list, will start Thursday’s final game of the Marlins series.
To make room for Trachsel, who had been sidelined by a blister on his pitching hand, Mike Morgan (2-10) goes on the DL. Morgan missed his start Monday because of back spasms.
Manager Tom Trebelhorn said Wednesday’s 9-8 loss to Florida was “the residue of the scratched start on Monday.” Reliever Chuck Crim supplied six innings in place of Morgan, so the Cubs had to reach into their bullpen for the series’ first three games.
Injured Marlin: Starter Chris Hammond was removed from the game after he was struck on the left leg by a line drive off Derrick May’s bat. Hammond had precautionary X-rays taken at Northwestern Hospital.
Bang-bang: The Cubs hit back-to-back homers for the second time this season when May and Steve Buechele connected in the sixth inning. Sammy Sosa and Ryne Sandberg hit consecutive homers on May 6 at Pittsburgh.
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Pitching notes: Rookie Kevin Foster hasn’t pitched enough innings (76 1/3) to be listed among the league leaders, but he has held opponents to a .207 average. No starter has a better record.
When Dan Plesac threw seven of his nine pitches in the strike zone in the ninth inning Wednesday, it merely continued his recent run of fine control. He has not walked anybody since June 29, a stretch of 14 games.
Farm Report: Triple-A Iowa (54-58) beat New Orleans 5-2 as first baseman Matt Franco and center-fielder Scott Bullett had two RBIs apiece, upping their totals to 59 and 57 respectively. Doug Glanville had three RBIs and his 21st steal as Double-A Orlando (44-65) beat Greenville 7-4. All seven Cubs farm teams have losing records.