Felix

Pie

Pie, who would have been called up to the Cubs when Patterson was demoted July 7 if not for the injury, will need some at-bats before he’s ready to get the call. He’s certain to be brought up Sept. 1, when rosters expand.

His sprained ankle has been slow to heal and the Cubs are probably not bringing him up in September because he won’t be 100%. They don’t want him to play at half speed and then have him be viewed as a disappointment. But the fact we probably won’t see him this year is an unexpected turn of events and is certainly disappointing Cubs fans. Just like their team has been this year.

“Maybe,” Baker said. “But at .270 … you guys have been talking ‘Felix, Felix, Felix,’ but Felix has to be the Felix you’re all talking about if you’re going to bring him up. I’d like to see him do a little more. I’d like to see everybody do a little more. I’d like to see everybody get here not only on name, but on merit at the same time.” Pie is hitting .275 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI for Triple-A Iowa.

Pie raised his average to .283, but with a 36/12 K/BB ratio in 173 at-bats and only four steals in eight attempts, he’s still having the same problems he did in past years. It’s possible that he won’t be ready to move into the Cubs’ outfield at the start of 2007.

Pie has recovered from a prolonged slump and is hitting .282 with 13 homers and 55 RBI at Triple-A. There’s a chance he could take over for Juan Pierre in center field as soon as next spring.

''According to our scouts, he still has things to learn about playing the game,’' manager Dusty Baker said. ''I know everyone’s clamoring for him, but the decision isn’t up to me. That’s on our development people because we don’t get to see him play. We wish he would have done better.’' It appears the Cubs are giving Pie a bit of a wake-up call. He could make the team during spring training next season.

“Things were going good with the knee. I was in a good spot,’' said Sizemore. ''This puts everything on hold. We said before that we were shooting for Opening Day (while rehabbing). It was a realistic goal.” Sizemore added that he tried to push through the back injury, but that it got worse and the Indians made the decision to shut him down. With Sizemore out, Cleveland will move Michael Brantley to center field while giving Felix Pie, Fred Lewis, and Ryan Spilborghs an opportunity for semi-regular starts. Sizemore did not give exact date for his return, but hopes to be back a few weeks after Opening Day.

Grady Sizemore was the alternative, but he’s now expected to begin the season on the disabled list following a back strain. Brantley will likely move from left field to center, but Acta plans to give other players a look before making a final decision. Ezequiel Carrera, Felix Pie, Trevor Crowe and Ryan Spilborghs are among the possibilities.

Indians manager Manny Acta called his exit precautionary and he is currently listed as day-to-day. We suspect they’ll be extra careful here, as their current alternatives for center field include Felix Pie, Ryan Spilborghs and Aaron Cunningham.

Pie was removed from Sunday’s Cactus League game with what were originally diagnosed as concussion-likely symptoms after running into the outfield wall. But he did not suffer a head injury, and should be able to resume his quest for an Opening Day bench spot later this week.