Murton up, Patterson down

Matt Murton is back with the Cubs.

Here’s the official release:

The Chicago Cubs today recalled outfielder Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa and optioned infielder Eric Patterson to Triple-A.

Murton will be available for tonights game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

The 26-year-old Murton joins the Cubs for the second time this season, appearing in eight games at the big league level from April 19-May 1. He has otherwise played in 54 games at Triple-A this year, batting .298 (57-for-191) with 26 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, one home run and a .397 on-base percentage. During his previous stay with the Cubs, the right-handed batter hit .214 (3-for-14) with two runs scored and four RBI.

Murton has spent all our part of the last four seasons in the big leagues with the Cubs, batting .295 (249-for-844) with 28 home runs and 102 RBI in 297 games. In 2007, he batted .281 (66-for-235) with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 94 major league contests.

Patterson has batted .143 (2-for-14) with a pair of RBI in five games covering two stints with the Cubs this season. The 25-year-old is batting .326 (59-for-181) with 13 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 27 runs scored and 26 RBI in 47 games with Iowa this year.