Catcher Blake Lalli, who had two hits and two RBIs in a six-game big-league debut for the Cubs earlier this season, was designated for assignment Monday to make room on the 40-man roster for another waiver-claim acquisition of a pitcher.
The Cubs claimed right-handed reliever Miguel Socolovich from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to AAA Iowa.
Socolovich, 26, is a former White Sox prospect who spent most of this season at AAA Norfolk, going 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA and two saves in 28 appearances and earning International League All-Star honors.
He made six appearances for the Orioles this season (6.97 ERA, 10 1/3 innings).
Lalli, 29, was hitting .257 with seven homers at Iowa.
