Hart Recalled from Iowa

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Kevin Hart from Triple-A Iowa and placed right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps strain.

Hart, 26, is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA (18 ER/52.1 IP) in 22 games (six starts) since beginning the year with Iowa . He has averaged 9.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched, striking out 57 compared to just 20 walks in 52.1 innings of work. Hart, who has held the opposition to a .206 batting average (39-for-189), has posted a 1.41 ERA (5 ER/32.0 IP) with three victories in his last six games since May 22, all starts.

In his third year with the organization since Chicago obtained him from Baltimore in December of 2006 for outfielder Freddie Bynum, Hart has a 2-2 record with a 4.89 ERA (21 ER/38.2 IP) in 29 career relief appearances for the Cubs in 2007-08.

Hart split the 2008 campaign between Chicago and Iowa , breaking camp with the major league club for the first time in his career. He appeared in 21 games during four stints with the Cubs, going 2-2 with a 6.51 ERA (20 ER/27.2 IP), picking up his first career victory April 5 vs. Houston with 1.2 shutout relief innings. With Iowa , he posted a 2.81 ERA (18 ER/57.2 IP) in 26 games (10 starts) while going 4-2 with five saves.

Originally selected by the Orioles in the 11th round of the 2004 Draft, Hart made his big league debut with Chicago in 2007 as a September call-up. He made eight relief appearances and posted a 0.82 ERA (1 ER/11.0 IP), earning him a spot on Chicago ’s post-season roster.

Guzman, 27, is 2-1 with a save and a 2.53 ERA (9 ER/32.0 IP) in 28 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, his 10th year in the organization. He earned his first career victory April 18 vs. the Cardinals, throwing a scoreless 11th inning in Chicago ’s 7-5 win.