A week after moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen, Cubs manager Lou Piniella made another bold change, naming pitching coach Larry Rothschild the team’s starting catcher.
“Coaches can only make so many visits to the mound, but catchers can go out two or three times a batter if they want,” said Piniella. “With our staff … that’s a big plus.”
According to Piniella, Rothschild will probably use the rarely seen “catcher’s chair” and will hit fifth in the order, bumping the struggling Aramis Ramirez down to sixth.
“We’re not anticipating much of an offensive drop off from the five spot,” said Piniella. “Larry can hit .150 just as easily as Aramis can.”
By George Ellis, managing editor
