Alou on disabled list

CHICAGO, April 5 (UPI) -- Moises Alou, who has yet to play this season due to a strained left calf, was placed on the disabled list Friday.

Alou, who is eligible to be activated April 15, signed with the Cubs in the offseason and was expected to team with sluggers Sammy Sosa and Fred McGriff in the heart of the lineup.

Instead, the 35-year-old has been slowed all spring by nagging injuries.

When healthy, Alou is among the most productive hitters in the game, batting .331 with 27 homers and 108 RBI in 513 at-bats for Houston in 2001.

To fill Alou's roster slot, the Cubs added outfielder Mario Encarnacion to the roster. Encarnacion was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.