Brian Schlitter Returned To The Cubs

In one of more surprising notes of the day, Brian Schlitter was returned to the Chicago Cubs today. Typically, a player can only be returned to an organization if he did not make the 25 man-roster of the team of which he was drafted by in the Rule V draft. But in the case of Schlitter, it was a technicality that brought him back to the Cubs.

In December of last year, Schlitter was waived by the Cubs in order to make room for the returning Kerry Wood. While on waivers, Schlitter was claimed by the New York Yankees. Shortly after being claimed by the Yankees, Schlitter was once again waived, and this time claimed by the Phillies.

Schlitter appeared in one Spring Training game for the Phillies and gave up two runs in the process. The Phillies placed Schlitter on the disabled list during March with a right elbow strain. But according to general manager Jim Hendry, the injury started while Schlitter was still a member of the Cubs organization. With the pre-existing injury, Major League Baseball has decided to void the claims made by both the Phillies and Yankees, and return Schlitter to the Cubs.  For what it is worth, Schlitter did pass a physical for both teams.