Cubs call up Caridad

The Merry-Go-Round at the back of the Cubs bullpen took another turn Monday when the team called up right-handed pitcher Esmailin Caridad.

To make room on the roster, the Cubs demoted relief pitcher Jeff Stevens.

Caridad, 25, never has pitched in the majors. He was 5-10 with a 4.15 ERA in 23 starts at Triple-A Iowa this season, including a 1-1 record with a 2.74 ERA in his past four starts.

The Cubs might need Caridad to chew up innings with Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano on the disabled list. Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to make his first start of the season Wednesday, and Caridad could fill Samardzija's long-relief role.

The Cubs signed Caridad as a non-drafted free agent before the 2008 season. The 5-foot-10, 193-pound pitcher made 27 starts at Single-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee last season.

Stevens, 25, was 0-0 with a 7.36 ERA in six relief appearances with the Cubs.

-Tom Musick