Blanco, Miller Close To Rehab Assignment

According to WGN Radio, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before today's game that catcher Henry Blanco and pitcher Wade Miller may start minor league rehab assignments as soon as next Sunday, shortly after the all-star break resumes.

If Blanco gets well enough to be activated it will leave the Cubs with the dilemma of which current catcher they have to designate for assignment. Neither catcher has options left. Koyie Hill is most likely going to stay over Rob Bowen. Hill has played better defense and the Cubs are 12-4 when he starts, but both Hill and Bowen would have to pass through waivers and accept being assigned to Iowa. Hill might be able to pass through waivers and likely would accept the assignment, but Bowen, despite his mediocre play this season is more likely to be nabbed by another team. He's only 26 years old and is a switch hitting catcher with a little pop and decent defense. It also would mean that Jim Hendry would likely lose the main piece in the Barrett trade less than a month after making the deal, so maybe Hill would be sent out to save face.