Cubs’ starting catcher Geovany Soto is off to an outstanding start to the season. He has played in 61 games this season for the Cubs and he is 63 for 219 (.288 avg, .908 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 11 homers and 42 RBIs. But, he has also whiffed 60 times this season but you won’t hear the Cubs’ complaining about that as long as he keeps hitting like he is right now. He will have a good shot to make the All Star team if he keeps playing at his current level.

The Cubs have signed 31-year old lefty swinging Ben Broussard to a minor league contract. Broussard probably won’t be in the minors long if he hits well in AAA. Broussard played in 26 games for the Rangers this season and he was 13 for 82 (.159 avg, .493 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 8 RBIs. Broussard has also played in 12 AAA games this season and he was 14 for 43 (.326 avg, .978 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. Broussard has had a productive major league career to date as he has played in 705 games and he is 561 for 2,136 (.263 avg, .774 OPS) with 275 runs scored, 87 homers and 314 RBIs. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Cubs.

The Cubs will be without starting LF Alfonso Soriano for at least the next six weeks after he was hit in his left hand with a pitch breaking a bone. This is a shame as Soriano was really on fire as of late. Soriano has played in 50 games this season for the Cubs and he is 60 for 211 (.284 avg, .880 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 15 homers, 40 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The Cubs are planning on playing starting 2B Mark DeRosa in LF quite a bit with Mike Fontenot replacing him at 2B. DeRosa can handle LF defensively and he’s hitting well this season. DeRosa has played in 60 games for the Cubs this season and he is 63 for 204 (.309 avg, .887 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 8 homers, 35 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Mike Fontenot has played in 50 games for the Cubs this season and he is 21 for 85 (.247 avg, .747 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 2 homers, 12 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Cubs would be smarter if they just called up Matt Murton to start in LF and leave DeRosa at 2B. But they won’t because Murton is in the Cubs’ Dog House.

The Cubs have acquired 35-year old righty reliever Jim Brower from the Reds for cash considerations. Brower has pitched in 18 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 0-1 with 3 saves, a 2.77 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Brower has pitched in 354 games (28 starts) in his major league career so far and he is 33-32 with 5 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Brower will provide bullpen depth in AAA for the Cubs as they stole him from the division rival Reds.