Report: Chicago Cubs recall Blake Parker, Chris Valaika

The Chicago Cubs recalled right-handed reliever Blake Parker and infielder Chris Valaika to fill the positions left after Emilio Bonifacio and James Russell were traded to the Braves at the trade deadline Thursday.

Parker, 29, there two innings on Tuesday night in the 16-inning victory and has been up and down with the Cubs several times already this season. A player must stay in the minor leagues for 10 days except if they are replacing an injured player, which Parker is doing with Doubront. The Cubs added Doubront to the 25-man roster when he was acquired in Wednesday’s trade before being moved to the disabled list with a calf strain.

Kyuji Fujikawa is nearly the end of his minor league rehab stint and will join the Cubs’ bullpen soon sending Parker back down to Iowa. The Cubs will stick with left-handers Chris Rusin and Wesley Wright in the bullpen.

Valaika, who was pulled from Thursday night’s lineup at Iowa, played every infield position at Triple-A, including 12 games at second base. He has played the most games at first base with 52 and just two games in the outfield. Valaika had a perfect fielding percentage at second while turning seven double plays.

Valaika has hit .278/.344/.423 with 21 doubles and 10 home runs for 50 RBI in 352 at-bats this season.

The 28-year-old played in 19 spring training games for the Cubs in Mesa and went 9-for-40. He played 22 games for the Miami Marlins last season and batted .219 with nine RBIs and one home run.

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