Cubs call up former Irish football star Samardzija to work out of 'pen

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs called up right-hander Jeff Samardzija from Triple-A Iowa on Friday after placing closer Kerry Wood on the disabled list with a blister on his right index finger.

Samardzija, a former Notre Dame football star, was a starter in the minor leagues, going 7-6 with a 4.29 ERA for Iowa and Double-A Tennessee.

He made his final six minor league starts for Iowa, going 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA. He struck out 40 in 37 1/3 innings.

"We're going to put him in the bullpen and probably use him in the middle to get his feet wet," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "The sooner we get him in, the better. He's throwing strikes and getting people out. We'll give him a nice opportunity and see what he can do."

Samardzija last pitched on Saturday against Nashville, allowing two hits and one walk in six innings. He also struck out nine and walked one.

"He's stretched out," Piniella said. "We can use him about any way we want, but I think the best way is to get him in the middle of the ballgame and if he's pitching well, we can get him a little longer."

Samardzija signed a $10 million, five-year contract with the Cubs in 2007 despite speculation that he could have been a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

"Middle of the summer in Chicago, you can't really ask for anything else," he said. Samardzija arrived in Chicago 6 a.m. Friday after flying out of Tucson, Ariz., and changing planes in Las Vegas.

"It doesn't matter, I could have flown in about two minutes ago," he said.

Wood's placement on the DL was retroactive to July 14. He is eligible to be activated Tuesday at Milwaukee.