Chicago Cubs Baseball

For turning in a week to be remembered, Chicago Cub outfielder Alfonso Soriano was, well, remembered. Major League Baseball, using infinite wisdom and irrefutable statistics, named Soriano its National League Player of the Week on Monday.

It was the sixth time in Soriano’s career he’s received the honor and second overall time with the Chicago Cubs. He also has player of the week recognition from his stints with the New York Yankees (three times) and Texas Rangers (one time).

The honor capped off a week where Soriano gave new meaning to the term “en flago.” For the week of May 12-18, the Cubs outfielder hit nearly everything in sight, out of sight.

He finished the week with 16 hits and upped his batting average from .223 to .296. During that span he mashed seven home runs, collected 14 RBIs and recorded astronomical numbers for both slugging percentage (1.258) and total bases (39). Soriano also became only the second player in the last 40 years to have consecutive multi-home run games from the leadoff position.

To think the week before the mighty Soriano was struggling mightily. A strained calf muscle had shelved Soriano and following his return from the disabled list flailed and failed both at the plate and in the field.

All that changed in one week, and according to Soriano, the reason is simple.

“I have my confidence back,” Soriano explained.

For his efforts, Soriano will receive a luxury Swiss Timepiece from Tourneau, the world’s largest watch store.

Player Moves

In a couple of roster moves earlier this week, the Cubs placed right-hander Chad Fox on the DL and recalled Jose Ascanio from Triple A Iowa. The last time we heard from Jose was in spring training where he got his Ascanio kicked in a would be robbery attempt.

In his first appearance as a Cub, Ascanio didn’t allow a run over two innings in the Chicago’s 4-2 loss to the Astros tonight.

For Fox, it was a familiar return to the DL after feeling forearm discomfort in his throwing arm. This season was Fox’s first since 2005 when an elbow injury was thought to have ended his career.

On Sunday, Chicago Cubs baseball placed pinch-hitting specialist Daryl Ward on the 15-day disabled list with back problems. Micah Hoffpauir was called up from Iowa to take Ward’s spot. He was hitting .324 at Iowa with three home runs and 12 RBI after being sidelined himself with a strained oblique muscle.