Choi May Not Be Back Until Philly Series
MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat reported Thursday afternoon that Hee Seop Choi “continues his rehab at Triple-A Iowa and could be activated for the Cubs’ trip to Philadelphia.” The Cubs begin a series at Philadelphia on Monday. Ms. Muskat didn’t give any indication of the source for her information regarding Choi’s return.
If that is true, it is disappointing, even if it is in Choi’s and the Cubs’ best interests. When Choi started his rehab, Jim Hendry said he’d be there 4-to-5 days. That would be Thursday or Friday, making him available for at least two games of the White Sox series beginning Friday, and perhaps all three. That’s significant because the Cubs will be playing in U.S. Cellular Field, and thus with the DH. Having Choi would give the Cubs the opportunity to play both him and Eric Karros. Without Choi, it’s likely that Troy O’Leary will get the DH at-bats (though he may play the field, with Moises Alou DHing again).