Cubs Notes: Jim Hendry on Sports Central, Catching Situation, Fuld Called Up, and More

100 Wins
Today Cubs All Star LHP Ted Lilly tossed 8 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. Ted was the winning pitcher, that's his 100th win of his big league career. Jeff Baker, who got the start at second base with Fontenot struggling, had a good game going 2-3 with 2 RBIs and a walk in the 5-2 Cubs win.

Lee's Neck
Derrek left today's game with neck spasms in the 6th inning. He's had problems with his neck throughout his Cub career. According to Bruce Miles, Lee says he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow, so hopefully there's no worries!

Fuld Called Up
After Geovany Soto was placed on the DL yesterday, OF Sam Fuld was called up from AAA to take his spot on the Active Roster yesterday. Fuld was a spark in the lineup when he was with the club last.

Catching Situation

Since the Cubs called up Fuld, that means that Jake Fox is the backup catcher for the double header tomorrow. Lou has hinted that Fox could catch one of the games. Fox has said that he is willing to catch tomorrow. Koyie Hill told Judd Sirrot on Cubs Central Pregame today that he would be willing to catch both games of the double header, saying that it wouldn't be a problem. Fox says he's a catcher at heart. In the mean time, Jim Hendry is still looking for other catcher options, inside or outside the organization. The Cubs have Chris Robinson, who is a AAA All Star, at Iowa as well as Steve Clevenger.

Stevens Big League Debut
RHP Jeff Stevens made his big league debut on Friday, and he pitched a scoreless 9th inning. Stevens came to the Cubs in the trade that sent Mark DeRosa to the Indians.

Ronny Sick
Cubs legend Ron Santo is under the weather. He recorded his pregame show with Lou Piniella yesterday, but then was filling ill and left. Ron was gone again today and will also miss the doubleheader tomorrow. He should be back on Thursday after the All Star Break. Dave Otto filled in yesterday, and Judd Sirrot filled in with Pat Hughes today.

Rest Time
Multiple Cubs have said that some rest will be nice with the 3 days off. Last year, 8 of the Cubs had to fly to New York for the All Star game and play in the game instead of taking the days off. Cubs that are ready to rest include Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, and manager Lou Piniella.

Freddy Sanchez
Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports is reporting that an NL Central team is in the mix for Sanchez, and speculates that it could be the Cubs. With Fontenot struggling, the Cubs could use a middle infielder and/or a relief pitcher before the trade deadline on July 31.

Jim Hendry on Sports Central
The other day Cubs GM Jim Hendry joined David Kaplan on Sports Central. Here's what he had to say:

• Hendry says he's seen progress with the clubs and he likes the mindset that he's seeing from the guys.
• Jim says that what the Cubs want to add might still be different at that trade deadline then it is now.
• He says that the Cubs might need a bullpen piece, or it might be something because of an injury that has not happened yet.
• Jim is pleased with the starting pitching this season, and the bullpen in the last month.
• BJ Ryan is a guy that Jim would be willing to take a look at. He did speak with BJ's agent and he has also spoken with the Cubs scouts about Ryan.
• David and Jim discussed how much Milton Bradley fell off the table after a great Spring Training. Hendry mentioned that a month ago everyone wanted Lee to be replaced by Hoffpauir and now he is on fire. Jim points out that Bradley could get hot just like Derrek did.
• Jim lets Lou worry about who plays and who doesn't. He doesn't deal with whether Soriano gets days off or not.
• Kap talked about how Sam Fuld sparked the team and asked why he was sent back. Jim said that there was no good answer for who to send down at that point. (This interview was before Fuld was called back up today.)
• A fan asked Jim via Twitter to rank his top trades as a Cub GM. Jim says he doesn't like to rank them, but he did mention Derrek Lee for Hee-Seop Choi.

TWIB

Today the Cubs were featured on FOX's This Week in Baseball. Here is the recap:

• At the start of the show Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot introduced the Cubs team, Little Babe Ruth did the infield and The Riot did the outfield.
• The Cajun Connection likes to argue over which one of them is taller.
• Theriot is the Cubs team leader in Batting Average, hits, and stolen bases.
• Ron Santo calls Fontenot LBR and Theriot Little Babe Ruth 2.
• In the second segment they told the amazing story of Koyie Hill's comeback to the big leagues after his nasty accident.
• Koyie was rebuilding a window frame and cut 4 of his fingers off. His fingers were sewed back on. Hill said all he needed to here was that he would be able to throw again.
• Hill returned in Spring Training 2008. He was called up last September and got he returned to the big leagues less than a year after the accident.
• Then Ryan Dempster missed a trivia question in an odd little segment.
• The June clutch performer of the month award winner was announced. Derrek Lee was a nominee, but the winner was Tim Lincecum.
• The Rookie of the month for June was Brett Anderson of the A's.
• The next segment previewed the 2009 All Star Game
• The final segment was the plays of the week.

It was a great show! Good features on Hill, Theriot, and Fontenot were great!

Cubs Need to take DH

Tomorrow we have a big double header with this series split in the first 2 games. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go into the break just 1.5 GB instead of 3.5 of 5.5?? Let's hope that happens!

Tomorrow is also the MLB Futures game. Josh Vitters will play for USA and Starlin Castro will play for the World Team. I'll let you know how they do in my post tomorrow night!

That's it for now Cubs fans, I'll keep you posted!