Here Comes the Big Murt!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Matt Murton will get another chance to prove he's a major-league player this week when the Cubs recall him from Triple-A Iowa before Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay.

Manager Lou Piniella said Saturday the Cubs have lacked a corner outfielder and another right-handed hitter since Alfonso Soriano went on the disabled list last week. Murton fills the bill, and major-league sources said he received word on Sunday he'd be called up.

Murton, a .296 career hitter in the majors in 830 at-bats, was batting .298 at Iowa with one home run and 15 RBIs since being demoted from the Cubs in April. After getting his average into the .360s in late May, Murton has slumped of late, hitting .143 in 49 at-bats in June with no homers and three RBIs.

Murton is hitting .352 against left-handers and has showed he can hit for average in the majors, if not for power. The Cubs have tried to trade him since last off-season but are not inclined to give him away for nothing.

Murton's arrival means the Cubs are likely to send down infielder-outfielder Eric Patterson, who is 2-for-8 since being called up on Friday.

[TheBenjamin]

lets hope for the best

[Cubbies10]

Always been a fan of Murton so looking forward to seeing how he does, although i don't think Eric Patterson gt a real chance.

[taz57]

Orange Guy returns to the big leagues. I hope the best for him in his return. He should have a comfort level with playing left field that could carry over to his hitting. I don't expect much power from him, but he has been an on base machine in the past.

[TRIPLE PLAY]

Welcome "Red M&M" again-bring ur bat!

[ARAM16_03]

There will be a BIG RED INVASION!

[Bockstock]

this is probably Murton's last go-round with the Cubs. If Soriano comes off the DL around July 24th Florida home series (I'm also guessing this time around he does a minor league rehab sting) Murton will probably be traded rather than sent back down if the Cubs do work out a deal to land a pitcher.

However, here's to him hitting like he did in the second-half of 06 and 07

[1908-2008]

Great news....I've always loved murtons style. Patterson wasn't going anywhere anyway.thanks for the update

[bringbacktuffy]

fans on 3 straight fastballs, not too good of a start. hopefully he settles in

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

lets hope for the best

I hate to say it, but thats what were left with when it comes to Murton.

[TheBenjamin]

Murton has potential, as you can see by his near .300 BA, his Defense is jsut scarey.... and less then stellar power.

that being said, I could never hit near .200 of big leaguers, and if i make contact I might not even get out of the infield......

[HEYHEY]

So far "Big Murt" Sucks

[Cubbies10]

I only saw his first AB, but Murton just got over powered by that fast ball, was a split second behind on every swing. He hasn't seen too many pitchers like Kazmir down in AAA, it will take him a couple games to catch up.