Jake Fox called up

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today traded shortstop Cesar Izturis and a cash consideration to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later. In a corresponding move, the Cubs selected catcher Jake Fox, Chicago’s third round pick in the 2003 Draft, from Double-A Tennessee.

Fox, who turns 25 on Friday, is hitting .284 (102-for-359) with 18 home runs and 60 RBI in 91 games for Tennessee this season. Named to the 2007 Southern League North All-Star Team, Fox has appeared at catcher, first base, third base, left field and right field this season. He owns a .318 batting average (42-for-132) off left-handed pitching and is hitting .380 (19-for-50) in day contests, while his 18 long balls are tied for the Southern League lead.

A right-handed batter, Fox has produced a .284 career batting average (451-for-1587) with 107 doubles, 68 home runs and 259 RBI in 436 minor league games. In 2006, he combined to bat .294 (130-for-442) in 121 games between Single-A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn. He batted .462 (6-for-13) with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI as a non-roster invitee with the big league club in spring training this season.

Fox, who is looking to make his major league debut, is available for today’s 1:20 p.m. CT game against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Fox will wear uniform No. 9.

Izturis, 27, was hitting .246 (47-for-191) with eight RBI and 15 runs scored in 65 games for Chicago this season. Acquired by the Cubs July 31, 2006, from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Greg Maddux, the shortstop appeared in 87 games for Chicago, hitting .242 (64-for-264) while logging a .968 (9 E/273 TC) fielding percentage.

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