Reds deal Hill back to Cubs

Published 10:56 pm Saturday, May 19, 2012

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have reacquired catcher Koyie Hill in a deal with the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations.

The 33-year-old Hill returns to the Cubs after spending all or part of the past five seasons in the organization from 2007-11. He batted .208 with seven home runs and 63 RBI in 252 games with the Cubs during his first stint.

Hill was batting .195 this season with a homer and five RBIs for Pensacola — the Reds’ Double-A affiliate.

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Cubs starting catcher Geovany Soto had left knee surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday.

Backup Wellington Castillo has a sprained knee ligament and will be out four to seven days. On Friday, the Cubs called up catcher Blake Lallio.

And on Saturday they recalled right-hander Randy Wells from Triple-A Iowa and he will pitch out of the bullpen after Kerry Wood’s retirement Friday.

Wells was 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in two starts with Chicago earlier this season.