Fox headed to DL; Ascanio to get call-up -

HOUSTON -- The Cubs' pitching carousel continued Monday night with the news that reliever Chad Fox will go on the disabled list today with irritation in his pitching elbow. Prospect Jose Ascanio will be called up from Class AAA Iowa to take his place.

Chad Fox's injury history continues. Ascanio is the better pitcher, anyway. Ascanio debuted with two scoreless innings in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros.

Chad Fox is back with the Chicago Cubs after they signed him to a minor league contract on Friday, reports the AP. In April 2005, Fox went from being the Cubs' possible new closer (after another LaTroy Hawkins blown save) to a "career-ending injury" in matter of two days. Given this comeback attempt, Fox is trying to show that the injury was not, in fact, career-ending.

So much for the Chad Fox as closer idea. "Fox suffered what could be a season-ending—and perhaps career-ending—elbow injury," reports the Chicago Tribune. That "career-ending" bit is just speculation on the part of writer Paul Sullivan; there's no expert backing it up. Still, like last year, the Cubs' injuries are mounting. And Chad Fox is faced with what his career has already seen too much of: more rehab.