I’ve come across some news and notes for some of our farmhands and I thought I’d pass them along to you.

Jonathan Mayo mentioned Jeff Samardzija in a recent article on MiLB.com in the “Year Away” section. – Source

Remember when the Cubs took Jeff Samardzija, the two-sport star out of Notre Dame, and people thought perhaps they had invested too much in a guy who hadn’t done that much pitching? Well, talk about shortening the learning curve — the former wide receiver has allowed just one run on seven hits over his first 12 innings in two starts, both wins.

Baseball America lists some minor league transactions pertaining to the team – Source

Released: RHP Yusdel Tuero, C J.D. Closser
Acquired: OF Doug Deeds from Twins for future considerations
Recalled: LHP Sean Marshall
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Carmen Pignatiello
Placed on 7-day DL: 3B Matt Craig
Reinstated from DL: C Tony Richie
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Yusdel Tuero