The Cubs still haven’t made a move, but Mike Morgan is expected to come off the disabled list to pitch Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Morgan flew to Chicago from Orlando, where he has been on rehab assignment after cracking a rib and suffering tenderness in his shoulder. He was 0-2 with a 7.59 earned-run average at Double-A Orlando.
When Morgan is formally activated Thursday afternoon, the Cubs will have to make a roster move. Look for a position player, probably outfielder Ozzie Timmons, to be sent out.
Timmons is the only outfielder who still has options that allow him to be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. The Cubs still believe he will play an important role and he will be called back to the big leagues at the first opportunity.
Just dreamin’: It’s way, way too early to start thinking about magic numbers, but consider this: The fast start gives the Cubs the inside track on at least a wild-card playoff spot. After Wednesday’s game, they are 17-8 with 119 games left. For the sake of convenience, break the rest of the season into six 20-game segments. If the Cubs go 11-9 in each segment, they will go 66-54. Add that to their 16-8 start in the first 24 games, and they would finish 82-62.
Steady and quiet: Second baseman Rey Sanchez is 17 for 55 (.309) in the last 12 games.
Doing fine: Center-fielder Brian McRae didn’t start Wednesday’s game because of tightness in his thigh where he was hit by a pitch from the Dodgers’ Ramon Martinez last Saturday. He was well enough to pinch-hit in the ninth inning and hit the ball that scored the winning run on an error.