:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17319485/20130320_pjc_ar5_031.0.jpg)
After Friday's loss to the Dodgers, the Cubs designated Julio Borbon for assignment.
Now, we know who's going to replace Murphy on the 25-man (and 40-man) roster:
#Cubs to select Donnie Murphy from Class AAA Iowa today.
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) August 3, 2013
Murphy is an infielder. Borbon is an outfielder. This leaves just four outfielders on the Cubs' 25-man roster: Junior Lake, Nate Schierholtz, David DeJesus and Cole Gillespie. I can't imagine this situation will last too much longer -- not only that, but the Cubs are still carrying eight relief pitchers. I'd guess Brian Bogusevic, who is now eligible to return from the disabled list, will be back soon.
Murphy is 30 and has played parts of seven major-league seasons with the Royals, Athletics and Marlins. He was in spring training this year with the Brewers, which is when the photo at the top of this post was taken. With career numbers like this: .205/.270/.373 in 640 plate appearances -- you can guess his value is primarily as a defensive replacement. At Triple-A Iowa this year, Murphy has hit .265/.338/.457 and struck out once every four at-bats (75 K in 302 AB), although with 12 home runs.
When Murphy appears in a game he'll be the 47th player to appear in a Cubs uniform this season. The team record is 53, set last year. It seems almost certain to be broken.