The Cubs decided in spring training to convert 27-year old righty Jeff Samardzija into a starting pitcher in 2012. This had it’s risks as Samardzija came into this season walking 5.3 batters per 9 innings pitched. That just wouldn’t get the job done as a starting pitcher due to high pitch counts. But, Samardzija is only allowing 2.8 walks per 9 innings so far this year and the results have been outstanding so far. Samardzija has started 6 games for the Cubs so far this year and he is 4-1 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has only given up 34 hits in 38 2/3 innings while whiffing 39 batters and only walking 12. The Cubs hope that Samardzija keeps giving them good work when it’s his day to pitch.

The Cubs have called up 24-year old lefty swinging infielder Adrian Cardenas for his first shot at the show. Cardenas played in 26 games in AAA-ball for the Cubs this year and he was 30 for 94 (.319 avg, .897 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers, 18 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has walked 11 times while only whiffing 5 times in the minors this year. Cardenas has played in 669 games in his first seven years in the minors and he is 779 of 2,569 (.303 avg, .785 OPS) with 385 runs scored, 31 homers, 341 RBIs and 78 stolen bases. The Cubs have sent down 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Travis Wood to AAA to make room for Cardenas on the roster. Wood started yesterday against the Dodgers and he worked 6 innings in which he gave up 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walked 3 batters and he whiffed 4…but he didn’t get a decision.

The Cubs have released 25-year old righty reliever Dan Berlind. Berlind pitched in 8 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball this year and he was 0-2 with a 17.28 ERA and a 3.36 WHIP. He gave up 18 hits and he walked 10 batters in only 8 1/3 innings in the minors this year. Berlind has pitched in 110 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 21-30 with 7 saves, a 5.09 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. This is no loss for the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs have designated 26-year old lefty swinging 2B/3B Blake DeWitt for assignment. DeWitt played in 18 games for the Cubs this year and he was 4 for 29 (.138 avg, .306 OPS) with 1 run scored, 0 homers and 1 RBI. He played in 192 games in his first three years with the Cubs and he was 111 of 443 (.251 avg, .679 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 0 homers, 49 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Cubs need DeWitt’s roster spot for 25-year old lefty Travis Wood, who is starting today against the Dodgers. Wood pitched in 5 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Cubs this year and he was 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He has pitched in 39 games (35 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 11-10 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

UPDATE: (5/17/2012) - Blake DeWitt has accepted an outright assignment to AAA after clearing waivers.

23-year old lefty swinging CF Brett Jackson is close to ready for the Chicago Cubs. Jackson came into this season as the Cubs’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America. Jackson has played in 26 games in AAA-ball for the Cubs this year and he is 26 for 104 (.250 avg, .770 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 11 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 322 games in his first four years in the minors and he is 357 for 1,237 (.289 avg, .874 OPS) with 253 runs scored, 42 homers, 171 RBIs and 68 stolen bases. CF is wide open for the Cubs now with Marlon Byrd being dealt to the Red Sox, so Brett Jackson’s time with the Cubs should come at some point in 2012.