 |
 |
 |
|
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs released Alex Cintron on Wednesday, leaving Ronny Cedeno and Mike Fontenot as the likely backup infielders.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
Cintron had a rough spring. After having surgery on his right elbow during the offseason, he got hit on the right side of his face by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Mark DeRosa while waiting in the on-deck circle.
A career .277 hitter in parts of seven seasons, he spent the previous two with the Chicago White Sox after playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"Hopefully, he catches on with another team and gets himself a major league job," manager Lou Piniella said.
The move leaves the Cubs with 30 players on their roster -- 16 pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. Piniella said Sean Marshall, who opened camp competing for a spot in the rotation, has the inside track over fellow left-hander Carmen Pignatiello for a relief role as long as he "can acclimate himself in short order."
Marshall is scheduled to pitch Thursday against Milwaukee and during the series against Seattle in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday.
With the Cubs planning to carry 12 pitchers, outfielder Matt Murton could be the odd man out after Reed Johnson agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday. Johnson can play all three positions, something Murton can't do.
