Stevens Sent Down, Cubs Sign Draft Pick, Bradley, and More

Update at 4:15 PM CT: Jeff Stevens has been optioned to AAA, Aaron Miles activated from 15-day DL. Soto will be activated by Friday night's game; Fuld, Hoffpauir, and Samardzija still on the hot seat.

Another Roster Move Today?
Aaron Miles was spotted at Great American Ball Park today. He has been rehabbing at AAA with an elbow injury and is finally starting to hit. Andres Blanco was placed on the DL yesterday, so the Cubs are a position player short right now. I would expect a pitcher, most likely Jeff Samardzija, to be sent down, but according to Bruce Miles the Cubs might send down Sam Fuld. I'll update this post if and when the roster move is made.

Geo at AA
Soto looked good again in his second rehab game for the Smokies. We went 1-3 with a home run last night. He will start one more game before returning Friday.

Raley Signs
The Cubs have signed 6th round draft pick Brooks Raley for $750,000. He was at Wrigley Field recently to throw a bullpen session for Larry Rothschild. He will report to a Cubs farm club soon.

Pitcher Convicted
Cubs minor league pitcher Julio Castillo was convicted of a felonious assault. Last season, Castillo throw a baseball into the stands in anger during a brawl in the Peoria Chiefs game VS Dayton. The ball was aimed at the Dragons' dugout, but it struck Chris McCarthy, a fan, who suffered a concussion. Here is the clip from the fight. Castillo is on the Boise Hawks roster, but could be released by the team too.

Cardinals Fall Today
St. Louis lost today to the Mets by a score of 7-0, so with a win tonight the Cubs will be a game ahead of the Cards in the NL Central!

No Bradley/Fox platoon
Last night Jake Fox was in right field for the Cubs, but Lou Piniella says that Milton is still his right fielder. The Cubs do need to find a way to get Fox's hot bat in the lineup!

Hill will finally get a rest
Koyie Hill has had a heavy work load since Soto went down, but he doesn't mind it. The backup catcher had an RBI double yesterday, but his bat had been effected negatively by all the innings he's caught. It will be good for his to have some days off starting on Friday.

Podcast
Check out Judd Sirrot's Cubs Central Podcast. He talked with Pat&Ron, then checked in with Milton Bradley.

That's it for now, Let's go get a win tonight!