Cubs sent INF Adrian Cardenas outright to Triple-A Iowa.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. Cardenas, 25, made his major league debut this year and batted just .183 (11-for-60) with six doubles and two RBI in 45 games.

Cubs optioned INF Adrian Cardenas to Triple-A Iowa.

Cardenas has batted .234/.265/.362 with zero homers and two RBI in 32 games this season with the Cubs. He could be brought back up when rosters expand in September.

Cubs otpioned INF Adrian Cardenas to Triple-A Iowa.

The move opens a 25-man roster spot for the arrival of Anthony Rizzo. Cardenas, 24, is 7-for-37 (.189) in 25 games with the Cubs this season. He'll be back eventually.

The Cubs will option INF Adrian Cardenas to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

He'll be sent down to make room for Anthony Rizzo on the active roster. Cardenas is hitting .189 (7-for-37) in 25 games with the Cubs this season.

Cubs recalled INF Adrian Cardenas from Triple-A Iowa.

Cardenas, who was claimed off waivers from the A's over the winter, was hitting .319/.376/.521 with two homers, 18 RBI and an .897 OPS over his first 109 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He'll serve in a utility role with the Cubbies, effectively taking the place of Blake DeWitt, who was designated for assignment on Sunday. Cardenas' poor defense continues to hold him back, but he does enough with the bat to be worth monitoring in NL-only leagues.

The Cubs are expected to promote Adrian Cardenas from Triple-A when they demote Travis Wood on Monday.

Wood allowed three runs over six innings Sunday against the Dodgers. Cardenas, meanwhile, owns some NL-only sleeper intrigue. He has a solid bat, but has thus far not found a defensive home. While his leather needs work, Cardenas, claimed off waivers from the A's over the winter, is hitting .326/.381/.533 on the farm this year. The 24-year-old former top prospect batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS with Triple-A Sacramento last season. He could steal at-bats at second and third base and a hot start could earn him consistent playing time on a rebuilding Cubs team.

Cubs optioned INF-OF Adrian Cardenas to Triple-A Iowa.

Claimed off waivers from the A's last month, Cardenas hit .286/.355/.643 this spring, but that wasn't enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. He should get a shot at some point, though.

Cubs claimed INF/OF Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Athletics.

Cardenas was designated for assignment by the A's last week in order to make room for Jonny Gomes on the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old former top prospect batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS with Triple-A Sacramento last season while making starts at second base, shortstop, third base and left field. With Blake DeWitt booted off the roster in a corresponding roster move, he'll have a chance to win a job as a utility man.

Athletics designated INF Adrian Cardenas for assignment.

He was cleared to make room for the newly signed Jonny Gomes on the 40-man roster. Cardenas, a former top prospect with the Phillies, batted .314/.374/.418 with five homers, 51 RBI and a .780 OPS in 2011 with Triple-A Sacramento. The 24-year-old started playing the outfield last season, so he could draw some interest around the league as a potential utility man.