DeRosa to DL; Baseball Gods Suspected

Mark DeRosa helped the Chicago Cubs to two consecutive division championships in his only two seasons on the North Side of Chicago. During that time, he became popular with the fans for his good nature in winning and accountability in losing -- in addition to good offensive production and ability to play solid defense nearly anywhere on the field. He became even more popular, to almost mythical proportions, this season when the Cubs struggled in his absence. He himself even proclaimed if he ever became a Cub again he'd be a disappointment, due to the fans' excessive adulation.

Thus, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals just over a week ago, it seemed to be a slap in the face of Cubbie nation. Fortunately, the Baseball Gods have intervened. DeRosa started 0-for-9 from the plate and fell injured. He's now been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury.

Sarcasm aside, DeRosa will always be one of my favorite guys in baseball. It sucks to see him fall on such misfortune immediately after being traded, even if it was to my favorite team's biggest rival. He has a strained left wrist, and was put on the DL to retroactive July 1. There's no doubt in my mind he'll become popular in St. Louis eventually.

In corresponding roster moves, the Cardinals have recalled infielder Brian Barden -- who was the NL Rookie of the Month in April, but struggled mightily afterwards -- and outfielder Nick Stavinoha. Tyler Greene has been optioned to Triple-A. Also of note, Kyle Lohse is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis Tuesday night. If things go well, it's possible he comes back Sunday to face the Cubs.

The Cardinals open a huge seven-game road trip Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Leading up to the All-Star break, the Cardinals have three games against the Brewers and four against the Cubs. They lead the Central division, but the Brewers trail by one game and the Cubs by two.