Koronka to Start Wednesday

May 30, 2005 by cubsnet

Lefthander John Koronka will start Wednesday's game in Los Angeles, reports MLB.com. The Cubs needed a new starter following Mark Prior's injury. Koronka's qualification for the job appears to be that he's "stretched out" enough to go 7 innings, unless he gives up too many runs. "He's the best candidate to take us deep in a game and he's throwing the ball pretty good," said Dusty Baker. "We're in [a stretch of 20 consecutive games], and I didn't want to tear up my bullpen."

Which has a good chance of happening anyway. Koronka, acquired in a trade with Cincinnati in 2003 for Phil Norton, has been consistently average during his minor league career. A 4.20 ERA in 162.2 innings in double-A in 2003. A 4.34 in 153.1 innings for Iowa last year. A 4.73 ERA in 53.1 innings for Iowa so far this year.

Todd Wellemeyer had been the initial name thrown out as Prior's replacement in the rotation. Wellemeyer threw 1.2 innings in relief in tonight's 5-3 win over the Dodgers. He had been starting at Iowa before being called back up.

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