Before his trade to the Cubs in July, Baker had been sidelined for two months with a sprained left hand. When he was finally healthy, he immediately found a groove in Chicago, batting .305 with an .810 OPS over 69 games, most of them at second base. With Mike Fontenot and Andres Blanco also in the mix, it’s unclear how regularly Baker will play in 2010, though he clearly hit the ball the best of the trio this season, which should serve as an indicator.

A big day for Blanco, who checked in with his first multi-hit effort since June 27. He’s made only a handful of starts in that span, which combined with his lack of pop and 11 RBIs in 105 at-bats, has relegated him to the waiver wire in all formats this season.

Blanco has a left calf strain that he apparently suffered in an Aug. 1 game vs. the Marlins in Florida. Hewasn't too worried about the injury. "It's just a little sore," Blanco said. "It's nothing to worry about." Gorzelanny was acquired along with John Grabow in a five-player deal with Pittsburgh on July 30. He was 3-1 with a 5.19 ERA in nine appearances for the Pirates this year.

Blanco continues to do well in a substitute role as Aaron Miles keeps progressing from a hyperextended right elbow. Blanco is 10-for-34 (.294) in seven games since June 19 to become a worthy addition in NL-only formats. It remains to be seen whether he's a notable contributor in mixed formats, although he could become valuable if Miles were to suffer a setback.

Ramirez, who is hitting .364 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 18 games, insists that he's not done for the season. "If everything goes like we plan, I should be OK for the first or second week of July." Ramirez is hoping to begin baseball activities when the Cubs return June 12 from their nine-game trip that starts Tuesday in Atlanta. Ramirez added that he should have a better timetable for when he could return in July at that point. Mike Fontenot will continue to hold down the hot corner until then, with Bobby Scales, Andres Blanco and Aaron Miles picking up for Fontenot at asecond base.

Freel, who started at third base, may have injured himself when he slid after rounding first base. He had singled with one out in the fourth, and was headed to second when he slid in the dirt to stop and return to first. Freel's status is day-to-day. If the injury is serious, the Cubs may call infielder Bobby Scales back. Scales was sent down to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday because the team wanted a backup shortstop, and had recalled Andres Blanco.

The one to watch here is Fox, the hottest hitter in the Pacific Coast League who was leading all Minor League players with a .423 batting average, 17 home runs and 50 RBIs in 40 games. The only problem has been finding a position for him to play, and he will be initially used as a bat off the bench. "He gives us a good bat coming off the bench, a power bat," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We haven't had that. This gives us more firepower." Fox, 26, has played first, left field, right field, third base and even caught two games, versatility that comes in handy for NL-only owners. Blanco gives the Cubs a better backup option at shortstop than Scales, who was hitting .257 in 14 games for the team in his first callup after 10 years in the Minors.

The move was made in part because Blanco is out of Minor League options and in part because Berroa is having such a miserable season. Bell said he still considers Berroa his shortstop for 2007, though owners will want to take a pass until the 2003 AL Rookie of the Year shows he can regain that first-year form.

Sweeney, who entered Tuesday's play with a .176 average, two homers and six RBIs in 68 at-bats on the year, went a healthy 1-for-3 with a pair of walks in a 6-4 win over the Red Sox. Sisco sported a troubling 6.80 ERA over 45 relief appearances in his previous stint with the Royals this season.

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