The Cubs’ first round pick this season, 3B Josh Vitters, is off to a slow start for the Cubs in the minors. He started late due to a left wrist injury and he hasn’t played much yet. The 18-year old righty swinging Vitters has played in 4 games in A-Ball so far this season and he is 3 for 14 (.214 avg, .643 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Vitters has also whiffed 5 times already but all three of his hits have been doubles and that’s promising.

The Cubs have traded infielder Buck Coats to the Reds for a player to be named later.  The Cubs had to trade Coats because they designated him for assignment to make room on the roster for Craig Monroe.  Coats was hitting .303 with 81 runs scored, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 123 AAA games for the Cubs this year.  The Cubs also sent 25 year old lefty reliever Clay Repada to the Tigers to finalize the Craig Monroe trade.  Rapada pitched in 55 AAA games this season for the Cubs and he was 7-2 with 17 saves, a 3.58 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.

The Cubs have designated 1B Brian Dopirak for assignment.  He once was one of the Cubs brightest prospects but they have lost faith in him.  He has played in 92 games in A+AA ball this season and he is 86 for 332 (.259 avg, .756 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 16 homers and 54 RBIs.  He is likely no loss to the Cubs.

The Cubs have recalled outfielder Eric Patterson to replace Alfonso Soriano on the Cubs roster.  Patterson is the younger brother of ex-Cub Corey Patterson and the lefty swinger has converted from 2B to the OF this season so he could be a little rough around the edges on defense.  Patterson has played in 111 games in AAA ball this season and he was 135 of 451 (.299 avg, .830 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 14 homers, 62 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.  He will likely get a lot of playing time to show what he can do in the majors until Soriano returns from the DL.  It was kind of a shock that the Cubs called Patterson up instead of Felix Pie.

The next time the Cubs need a lefty reliever they might call on Carmen Pignatiello.  Pignatiello has pitched in 45 games in AA+AAA ball and he is 2-0 with 4 saves, a 2.47 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.  In 51 innings he has allowed 36 hits, walked 14 batters and whiffed 45.