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Jake Fox could see time behind the plate with Geovany Soto sidelined.
Koyie Hill will almost surely start the next four games, but Fox, a former catcher in the minors, is ready to fill in, if needed.
Cubs hop on Fox with Soto out
By Paul Sullivan | Chicago Tribune
Jake Fox could see action behind the plate this weekend in the four-game series against St. Louis, after results of Geovany Soto's MRI showed some damage on the lower left oblique.
Soto will be working with trainer Mark O'Neal at Wrigley Field today, but will be sidelined through the All-Star break at the very least. The Cubs wont make any announcement today, and may wait until next Thursday to decide whether or not to place Soto on the disabled list, playing one man short for the weekend and waiting to see how Soto feels after the break, following eight days of rest.
That means Fox would serve as the back-up to Koyie Hill. Naturally, Fox is pumped about the possibility of returning to his former position, though he played only two games behind the plate at Triple-A Iowa this season.
"It came back pretty quick," Fox said. "The biggest thing is not really throwing from behind the plate. It's just receicing the ball, keeping the ball in front of you and making sure the pitcher is comfortable. The throwing is an afterthought."
Hill is likely to start all four games of the Cardinals series, but if Piniella needs to pinch-hit in the late innings, or make a double switch, Fox should be able to handle the role. He was drafted as a catcher out of the University of Michigan, but gradually switched positions in the minors, playing first base and the corner outfield spots.
Fox has been better than expected playing third base with the Cubs, though he made an unforced error in left field during Wednesday's game and has limited range.
St. Louis ranks 11th in the league in stolen bases, so it's unlikely they would run amuk on Fox if he did get a start behind the plate. Whether manager Lou Piniella would risk the possibility of an untimely passed ball in a tight game is another question altogether.
Jake Fox could start the first game of Sunday's day-night doubleheader against the Cardinals, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
It would be a lot to ask for Koyie Hill to start both games. Manager Lou Pinella has expressed confidence in Fox, even though he has never caught a game in the majors and has only caught two games in the minors this season.
Carlos Zambrano will start the first game of Sunday's day-night doubleheader against the Cardinals.
He's simply flip-flopping with Randy Wells, who will start the nightcap.
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