SAMARDZIJA SHUT DOWN AFTER FIVE STARTS FOR MEXICALI

In a move that was not unexpected, pitcher Jeff Samardzija is done for the year after the former Notre Dame football star turned in five starts for the Mexicali Aguilas this season. The Chicago Cubs prospect was sent home to rest up for the 2010 season, in which he is expected to contend for a slot in the Cubs’ starting rotation. He signed a contract with Chicago prior to the 2007 season that could net him US$16.5 million for up to seven years.
In five starts for Mexicali, Samardzija was 2-0 over 24 innings, and his 2.25 ERA was second to Mazatlan’s Oscar Bustillos among LMP pitchers. In his last start for the Aguilas, the 6’5” righthander went six innings against Hermosillo, allowing one run on four hits. He was 1-3 with the Cubs in 2009 after going 6-6 for Iowa in the Pacific Coast League.