The Cubs bought some time on a few tough decisions Tuesday by putting third-baseman Steve Buechele on the disabled list and calling up infielder Matt Franco from Triple-A Iowa.
Franco, 25, was hitting .289 with 12 doubles and three triples at Iowa. He can play first and third base.
Indications are Franco will be with the team less than 72 hours. He arrived at the ballpark just before Tuesday night’s game and is expected to be sent down when the Cubs activate pitcher Jim Bullinger from the disabled list to start Thursday night’s game in Houston.
Buechele has been struggling with a strained muscle in his left side. He says he aggravated it taking batting practice before Monday night’s game.
The Cubs placed him on the DL retroactive to June 12, which means he will be eligible to come off June 26. Until then, his roster spot is safe.
Grace-less: Mark Grace was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season because of a deep left groin pull. He hurt it rounding third base on Sammy Sosa’s RBI single Monday.
Never mind: Shortstop Shawon Dunston dropped his appeal and began serving his two-game suspension Tuesday night. The National League ordered Dunston to miss two games after he slapped Colorado second-baseman Jason Bates in the helmet and lashed out at him for trying to take him out with a rolling slide.
Dunston originally planned to appeal the suspension and was to have a hearing in New York July 5. But he has several minor injuries and decided to take the time off and serve the suspension simultaneously. He strained his back while swinging last weekend and was hit on the hip by a pitch Monday night.