Eric Patterson expected to take Soriano's spot on roster

The Cubs have had some nice success calling on youngsters to contribute in the 2007 season. With last nite's injury to Soriano, I suspected that Felix Pie would be on his way to Minute Maid Park for the opener tonite in Houston. That will not be the case. On the front page of the Cubs website the move that is expected to be made is the promotion of Eric Patterson from AAA Iowa.

The Cubs are back in action tonight at 7:05 p.m. CT when they open a seven-game road trip against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Rich Hill starts for Chicago, while top prospect Eric Patterson is expected to be recalled to replace an injured Alfonso Soriano.

As Rob G. at The Cub Reporter pointed out the Patterson move will require a 40-man roster move. He suspects it will involve moving Henry Blanco to the 60-day DL. This would be the logical move. I thought they were gonna do this when Wood came back last week, instead it was Angel Guzman heading to the 60-day DL.

Patterson has had a good season in the PCL, hitting .299 in 451 AB's with an .830 OPS. He has hit 23 doubles, 6 triples, and 14 homers. He has scored 85 runs while driving in 62. He has 16 steals and has been caught 7 times.

Interestingly, he has played more OF lateley. The last four ballgames at Iowa he has played centerfield moving Pie to RF.