Cubs trade for ‘versatile’ Baker

CHICAGO – Some fans have dubbed new Cubs acquisition Jeff Baker as the “poor man’s Mark DeRosa,” but Cubs general manager Jim Hendry will be happy if Baker simply plays like himself.

The Cubs acquired Baker, 28, from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday for minor-league pitcher Al Alburquerque. Injury-prone utility player Ryan Freel was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Baker.

Baker hit .268 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs for the Rockies in 2008, but a sprained left hand has limited him to 12 games this season. The Rockies activated him from the disabled list this week.

Baker has started at first base, second base, third base, left field and right field in his career.

“We’ve always liked him,” Hendry said. “Versatile guy, different kind of player than Freel was. We just kind of thought that now that he’s healthy again, he might have a little more bang. He can play five spots – a former first-round guy with a little pop [and] a good defender.”

Alburquerque, 23, was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 24 relief appearances at Single-A Daytona.

Freel hit .143 with one run scored and one RBI in 14 games with the Cubs, who acquired him from Baltimore on May 8 for outfielder Joey Gathright.

Quick hit: Cubs manager Lou Piniella might have to pry the leadoff job away from Sam Fuld.

Fuld went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in his second consecutive start atop the Cubs lineup. Piniella said Alfonso Soriano would start today after sitting out a couple of days.

Fuld went hitless in six at-bats in his first time up with the Cubs in 2007. He said that experience helped him to succeed in his latest call-up to the majors.

“I feel way more comfortable this time around,” Fuld said. “I’m just looking to make the most of it. I don’t know how long it will last or exactly what my role will be, but all you can do is try to contribute.”

Finished: Former Cubs reliever Neal Cotts underwent season-ending “Tommy John” surgery to repair ligament damage in his left elbow Thursday.

Cotts, 29, was 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in 19 relief appearances for the Cubs before he was demoted to Triple-A Iowa on May 27. He was 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 games at Iowa before requiring surgery.

Extra innings: Derrek Lee has increased his average from .244 to .285 since May 30. … Ryan Theriot extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the first inning. … Sean Marshall has not allowed a run in his past six appearances at Wrigley Field.