When the Cubs designated Matt Szczur for assignment, Joe Maddon said he simply deserved at-bats. Now he's getting that chance with the Padres, who acquired the former Cubs outfielder on Monday.
Back in Chicago for a three-game set on the South Side against the White Sox, Szczur will be starting in his third consecutive contest and earned himself a shot as the leadoff hitter tonight. He had only four starts with the Cubs during the first month of the season.
Szczur, who was drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round of 2010, went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in his first start for San Diego on Wednesday.