The Cubs have placed 31-year old lefty reliever John Grabow on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain. Grabow has pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Cubs so far this season and he is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. He has given up 35 hits (5 homers) in only 25 2/3 innings this season. The Cubs have recalled 24-year old lefty reliever James Russell to replace Grabow in the pen. Russell pitched in 20 games (0 starts) earlier this season for the Cubs in which he was 0-1 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Russell can’t be any worse than Grabow has been this season.

The Cubs would love to find a taker for 33-year old lefty swinging RF Kosuke Fukudome. He has played in 65 games for the Cubs this season and he is 51 of 189 (.270 avg, .791 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 6 homers, 24 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Fukudome came to the Cubs three years ago from Japan with the reputation of being a big power hitter but he hasn’t shown much power in the majors yet. Fukudome has now played in 361 games in his three years with the Cubs and he is 309 of 1,189 (.260 avg, .771 OPS) with 182 runs scored, 27 homers, 136 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. The Cubs really want to move Fukudome so they can give the full time starting job in RF to 24-year old lefty swinging rookie Tyler Colvin. Colvin has played in 67 games this season for the Cubbies and he is 40 of 135 (.296 avg, .945 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 10 homers and 27 RBIs.

Cubs’ starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano lost his mind today in the Cubs’ dugout after a rough first inning. He gave up 4 earned runs in the first inning before confronting Derek Lee about not diving for a ball on a Juan Pierre grounder. Lou Piniella sent him home during the game and after the game it was announced that he was getting suspended indefinitely. Zambrano has been pretty awful this season working in 22 games (9 starts) in which he is 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Zambrano might be frustrated because he has been awful this season but he can’t start pointing fingers and yelling at other players. He needs to look in the mirror and start acting like an adult.

The Cubs have designated 30-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Chad Tracy for assignment. Tracy has played in 28 games for the Cubs this season and he is 11 of 44 (.250 avg, .622 OPS) with 6 runs scored and 5 RBIs. The Cubs needed a roster spot for Aramis Ramirez who came off the D.L. today so Tracy was picked to go. The Cubs probably hope that he’ll accept a minor league assignment so they can keep him around.

UPDATE: (7/2/2010) - Chad Tracy has been released at his request by the Cubs. He is now an unrestricted free agent.

31-year old righty swinging outfielder Xavier Nady is swinging a hot bat for the Cubs this year. He has played in 48 games for the Cubs this year and he is 28 of 103 (.272 avg, .776 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 homers and 19 RBIs. Nady could be prime trade bait for the Cubs if they don’t start to turn things around soon. Of course the better option is to start winning games and keep Nady around as a weapon off the bench.