Adrian

Cardenas

Cardenas, who was claimed off waivers from the A’s over the winter, was hitting .319/.376/.521 with two homers, 18 RBI and an .897 OPS over his first 109 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He’ll serve in a utility role with the Cubbies, effectively taking the place of Blake DeWitt, who was designated for assignment on Sunday. Cardenas’ poor defense continues to hold him back, but he does enough with the bat to be worth monitoring in NL-only leagues.

Wood allowed three runs over six innings Sunday against the Dodgers. Cardenas, meanwhile, owns some NL-only sleeper intrigue. He has a solid bat, but has thus far not found a defensive home. While his leather needs work, Cardenas, claimed off waivers from the A’s over the winter, is hitting .326/.381/.533 on the farm this year. The 24-year-old former top prospect batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS with Triple-A Sacramento last season. He could steal at-bats at second and third base and a hot start could earn him consistent playing time on a rebuilding Cubs team.

Soriano has 14 RBI in his first 26 games this season, but he has yet to hit his first home run. He may continue to lose playing time if his power outage persists. Adrian Cardenas will start in his place in left field Wednesday and could make for a useful addition in deeper NL-only leagues.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum isn’t sure which knee it is, but it sounds like a day-to-day situation either way. Adrian Cardenas will make the start in left field Wednesday.

Claimed off waivers from the A’s last month, Cardenas hit .286/.355/.643 this spring, but that wasn’t enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. He should get a shot at some point, though.

Cardenas was designated for assignment by the A’s last week in order to make room for Jonny Gomes on the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old former top prospect batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS with Triple-A Sacramento last season while making starts at second base, shortstop, third base and left field. With Blake DeWitt booted off the roster in a corresponding roster move, he’ll have a chance to win a job with the Cubs as a utility man.

He was cleared to make room for the newly signed Jonny Gomes on the 40-man roster. Cardenas, a former top prospect during his days with the Phillies, was acquired in July of 2008 in the Joe Blanton deal. The 24-year-old batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS with Triple-A Sacramento in 2011. He added the outfield to his resume last season, so he could draw some interest around the league as a potential utility man.

He’ll be sent down to make room for Anthony Rizzo on the active roster. Cardenas is hitting .189 (7-for-37) in 25 games with the Cubs this season.

The move opens a 25-man roster spot for the arrival of Anthony Rizzo. Cardenas, 24, is 7-for-37 (.189) in 25 games with the Cubs this season. He’ll be back eventually.

Cardenas has batted .234/.265/.362 with zero homers and two RBI in 32 games this season with the Cubs. He could be brought back up when rosters expand in September.