Cubs place 1B Ward on DL

May 18, 2008 - 4:20 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs placed first baseman Daryle Ward on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a bulging disc in his lower back.

Primarily used as a pinch-hitter, Ward is hitting .200 (5-for-25) with one home run and five RBI this season.

To fill Ward's roster spot, the Cubs purchased the contract of infielder Micah Hoffpauir from Class AAA Iowa.

Hoffpauir, 28, was batting .324 (11-for-34) with Iowa. He has never played in the majors.