Cubs place Blanco on DL

CHICAGO, June 2 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs have placed backup catcher Henry Blanco on the 15-day disabled list because of his herniated disc.

Blanco, 35, had not played since a 9-0 loss Wednesday to the Florida Marlins. The career .224 hitter is struggling this season, hitting just .194 with no home runs and three RBI.

When announcing the move Friday before an 8-5 loss to Atlanta, the Cubs recalled catcher Koyie Hill. Hill, 28, was batting .304 with two home runs and 21 RBI in 39 games for the Class AAA Iowa Cubs.

Hill has played in 50 major league games. He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000, and also has played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.