The anticipated call-up of right-hander Angel Guzman will become official today when he starts today’s series finale between the Chicago Cubs and Washington.
Guzman, who began the season in long relief for the parent club, was delegated to Triple A Iowa when Alfonso Soriano suffered a slight hamstring injury. Heralded prospect and center fielder Felix Pie took Guzman’s spot on the roster and looks like he’ll remain.
To make room for Guzman, the Cubs demoted light-hitting infielder Ronny Cedeno to Iowa. Cedeno, who was the Chicago’s starting shortstop a year ago, has struggled at the plate with an anemic .097 batting average with two home runs and four RBIs. The 27-year-old has been primarily used in a utility role.
The move to bring up Guzman fills the fifth starter spot. Wade Miller originally started in the slot, but proved ineffective after three outings. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list for back spasms, and reportedly began throwing off the mound in recent days.
If Guzman can resume the pitching style he demonstrated through spring training and the opening weeks of the season he’ll be hard to supplant. In four appearances as a long reliever, Guzman had a 2.45 ERA, while recording eight strikeouts and a walk.
His trip to Iowa, unfortunately, has been a different story. During his last stint for the Iowa Cubs, Guzman was 0-2 with a robust 12.19 ERA. Those are similar numbers he put up for the parent Cubs in 2006. Guzman failed to record a victory in 10 starts with a 7.39 ERA.
Guzman is expected to receive a minimum of three starts as Cubs manager Lou Piniella would like to put some distance between lefties Rich Hill and Ted Lilly.
The move is critical for Guzman’s career and the Cubs’ hopes.  In Chicago’s 14 wins 13 of those have been recorded by the four main starters. As good as the Cubs’ starters have been if Chicago Cubs baseball hopes to reach the next level of success, it’ll need some production for the fifth slow.
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