Cubs OF Fukudome returns to lineup

CHICAGO (TICKER) —Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome returned to the Chicago Cubs’ lineup Friday after missing two games with tightness in his left calf.

Fukudome, batting in the leadoff spot as the Cubs’ designated hitter, went 2-for-4 with a walk in the Cubs’ 10-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

The rookie singled to center off White Sox starter Jose Contreras to lead off the game and walked in his next plate appearance in the third inning. Fukudome also reached on an infield single to shortstop with two outs in the top of the seventh.

The Cubs believed Fukudome developed the pain after playing in six straight games on artificial turf in Toronto and Tampa Bay during Chicago’s last road trip.

Cubs reliever Scott Eyre was unavailable Friday after straining his left groin on Thursday.