Cubs Recall Parker; Baez Placed on DL

Memphis, TN - The Iowa Cubs shuffle their roster with a series of moves today. The Chicago Cubs recalled RH Blake Parker and optioned LH Chris Rusin to Iowa. SS Javy Baez has been placed on the disabled list and INF Edgar Gonzalez has been activated. OF Jae-Hoon Ha has been re-assigned to double-A Tennessee and RH Eduardo Figueroa joins Iowa from extended spring training to start this afternoon's game in Memphis.

Parker has not allowed a run in three innings and has earned one save in three appearances with Iowa this year. Parker is Iowa's all-time saves leader with 42 in 159 games with the I-Cubs. This is Parker's third call to the big leagues. He made seven appearances with Chicago in 2012 and was 1-2 with a 2.72 ERA (14ER/46.1IP) and one save in 49 big league games last season.

Rusin was recalled by Chicago yesterday and pitched five innings in relief at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. He allowed one run on three hits in five innings. He will rejoin the team back in Des Moines when the team returns home on Tuesday.

Baez is on the DL, effective April 11, with a left ankle sprain. He sustained the injury while taking ground balls during batting practice before Friday's series opener in Memphis. Baez is batting .154 (4-for-26) with a double, two home runs, and three RBI in eight games. Gonzalez was on the DL to begin the season and hasn't played in a game yet this year.

Ha joined the Cubs from extended spring training on Friday. He played two innings in left field last night, but didn't have a plate appearance in his only game with Iowa.

Figueroa makes his triple-A debut on the mound today. Last year, he split the season between high-A Daytona and Tennessee, going 3-6 with a 3.43 ERA (33ER/86.2IP) in 30 games, including eight starts. This is Figueroa's eighth season in the Cubs' organization. The Venezuela native signed with the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on May 17, 2007.

The Cubs and Redbirds play game three of a four-game series this afternoon at 1:35. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed live at iowacubs.com, with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 1:15.