SAN DIEGO (AP) -The Chicago Cubs shook up their lineup and rotation Tuesday, putting Alfonso Soriano back in the leadoff spot and calling up Sean Marshall from Triple-A Iowa to replace Angel Guzman in the rotation.
Soriano was moved back to the top of the order against the San Diego Padres because Derrek Lee returned to the starting lineup for the first time since May 13, when he suffered neck spasms and left a game at Philadelphia in the second inning.
The Cubs were 3-4 in seven games with Soriano batting third. He went 5-for-28 with one double, one triple and one RBI.
“The only reason we moved him to the three hole was because Derrek Lee got hurt,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “If that wouldn’t have happened, we wouldn’t have made a move.”
Marshall will start Wednesday at San Diego. He took the roster spot of left-handed reliever Neal Cotts, who was optioned to Iowa on Sunday.
Marshall’s promotion means closer Ryan Dempster won’t be moving into the rotation immediately, as he thought was the case over the weekend. Dempster told reporters Sunday that he was headed to the rotation, only to reverse himself when Piniella told him that plan was on hold.
“Nothing’s changed,” Dempster said Tuesday. “I’m happy I’m going to get a chance sometime.”
Piniella pointed at himself for the confusion, explaining that he meant to tell Dempster before the right-hander talked to reporters but that he was sidetracked by having to tell Cotts of his demotion.
“I take responsibility for that,” Piniella said. “If there’s anybody to blame, just blame me.”
Piniella said he knows Dempster, who has 162 career starts, wants to return to that role. He said he will reconsider the possibility “down the road.”
Dempster entered Tuesday with nine saves in 10 opportunities this year.
“He’s in the place right now that helps the ballclub win baseball games,” Piniella said.
Guzman shifts to the bullpen after experiencing hamstring cramps that limited his ability to pitch deep into games.
Ted Lilly also was pushed back a day and will start Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Right-hander Jason Marquis will pitch Thursday against the Padres. Without the switch, the Cubs would be starting three straight lefties: Rich Hill, Marshall and Lilly.
The 24-year-old Marshall was 6-9 with a 5.59 ERA for the Cubs in 2006, making 24 starts. He pitched only one inning in spring training while rehabilitating a left shoulder injury and began the season in the minors. He was 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA in five combined appearances with Class-A Daytona and Iowa.
The 27-year-old Cotts was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA in 16 relief appearances with Chicago.
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