BREAKING: Chicago Cubs DFA Nate Schierholtz, activate Kyuji Fujikawa from DL

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According to a Tweet from Cubs beat writer Mark Gonzales, the Chicago Cubs have designated veteran outfielder Nate Schierholtz for assignment.

After a breakout 2013 campaign, which was his first in Chicago, the 30-year-old outfielder has struggled for Ricky Renteria’s club, hitting just .192/.240/.300 in 99 games. The left-handed-swinging Schierholtz has just six home runs this season after clubbing a career-high 21 last year.

His 2013 batting line of .251/.301/.470 still left something to be desired, but he quickly emerged as one of the team’s top offensive threats as cornerstones Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro struggled to produce. He drove in 68 runs for the Cubs in 137 games.

With the call-up of #2 overall prospect Javier Baez yesterday, Arismendy Alcantara has shifted to the outfield, only worsening an outfield logjam that the team has managed throughout much of the season. The speedy Alcantara is hitting .240/.325/.385 in 22 games this season.

In a corresponding move, reliever Kyuji Fujikawa was activated from the 60-day DL. The 34-year-old Japanese right-hander appeared in 12 games last season for Chicago, posting a 5.25 earned run average.