The Cubs completed a deal Monday acquiring catcher Anthony Recker from Oakland for catcher/first baseman Blake Lalli. At the same time, lefthanded pitcher Scott Maine was designated for assignment to make room for Recker on the 40-man roster.
Recker, who turns 29 on Wednesday, was an 18th round pick in the 2005 draft and made his major league debut last August. He was on Oakland’s opening day roster but was optioned to Class AAA Sacramento on May 27. He was hitting .265 with seven doubles, nine home runs and 29 RBI when he was designated for assignment last week by the Athletics.
Lalli, 28, made his major league debut with the Cubs this season, appearing in six games. He originally signed with the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in May, 2006.
Maine, 27, has spent part of the last three seasons in the big leagues with the Cubs, going 1-1 with a 4.87 ERA in 41 career relief appearances. He went 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA in 21 outings with the Cubs this season and went 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 28 relief outings with Class AAA Iowa.
