That didn't take long.
After the Cubs spent the early part of this week saying they hadn't discussed bringing someone up from Class AAA Iowa, they'll do so Thursday, when right-hander Jeff Samardzija is recalled. The plan is for Samardzija to work out of the bullpen and help Aaron Heilman hand off leads to late men Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg.
Samardzija went to spring training in the running for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, a job won by lefty Sean Marshall. GM Jim Hendry said Marshall would remain in the rotation and that left-hander Neal Cotts would not be removed from the team, despite a rough start.
The most likely candidate to go Thursday is right-hander Luis Vizcaino, who has worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Right-hander David Patton, a Rule 5 draft pick, will stay with the club and work in long relief, according to manager Lou Piniella.
Samardzija, 24, was 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA at Iowa. In 12 innings, he has struck out 11 and walked four. He made one relief appearance and two starts. He pitched six innings of one-hit, two-run ball Saturday.
REDS 3, CUBS 0: Chicago hitters could do nothing with Reds RHP Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati bullpen. The Cubs stranded two in the first inning and two in the fourth. LHP Ted Lilly pitched well through seven innings, allowing only an unearned run, resulting from his own throwing error, in the third. RHP Angel Guzman and RHP Kevin Gregg each allowed a run in relief.
