Cubs' Floyd Returns to Chicago to Be With Dad

[June 09, 2007]  ATLANTA  (AP) -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Cliff Floyd was placed on the bereavement list Friday night as he returned to Chicago to be with his sick father. Floyd was removed from the starting lineup about an hour before Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.
 

The team will call up infielder Mike Fontenot from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Jacque Jones replaced Floyd in right field. Catcher Michael Barrett moved into the cleanup spot, replacing Floyd. Jones hit sixth.

Floyd is hitting .306 with three homers and 23 RBIs in 111 at-bats.

It wasn't immediately known when Floyd would return to the team.

Meanwhile, third baseman Aramis Ramirez was not in the starting lineup again because of a sore left knee.

Ramirez returned to the team Friday after spending Thursday in Chicago. An MRI exam on the knee revealed patella tendinitis. Manager Lou Piniella said he hopes to avoid placing Ramirez on the disabled list.

Piniella said Ramirez would be available as a pinch-hitter in an emergency situation Friday night.

Ramirez was hitting .299 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs.

[Associated Press]