Johnson is doing his best to keep his name in a stacked Cubs lineup, hitting a ridiculous .440 (11-for-25) with two jacks and six RBIs since the midsummer pause. Rumors continue to swirl that the Cubs are looking for an upgrade in center field but they'll be hard pressed to find a hotter hitter than Johnson.

Johnson is batting .455 (10-for-22) with two doubles and two jacks during a nifty seven-game hitting streak. The Cubs' fourth outfielder should continue to see regular playing time while he's swinging a hot bat, and as such is worth a flier in NL-only play.

Reed Johnson went 3-for-4 with a grand slam as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. Johnson's average against lefties is significantly better, but three of his four home runs have now come off righties. Regardless, he has only managed 29 at-bats this month despite the absence of Alfonso Soriano, and is clearly on the wrong side of Chicago's platoon in center field.

A huge night at the yard for Johnson, who hadn't registered a multi-hit game since July 6. The sparsely used outfielder now has four jacks on the year to go with his 14 doubles and .280 average, but should see a serious shrinkage in playing time with the return of Alfonso Soriano.

Reed Johnson, starting in place of an injured Jim Edmonds, went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI for the Cubs on Wednesday night. One of the hits was his fourth home run of the season.Until we find word on the severity of Edmonds injury, he is scheduled for an MRI, we won't know if Johnson will be part of a platoon now that Alfonso Soriano is back or if he will play everyday.

Reed Johnson had his best game since returning from the DL last Friday. He started in center field and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.Johnson has started three of the four games in the outfield since his return. Still he will likely come off the bench once Alfonso Soriano returns from a broken hand.

According to the Chicago Tribune the Cubs sent Eric Patterson to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday to make room for Reed Johnson.Reed Johnson is starting in left field and leading off for the Cubs tonight in the series finale against the Giants.

Cubs activate OF Johnson

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Reed Johnson appears to have recovered from back spasms and is due to come off the DL on Wednesday.Johnson will likely see playing time immediately while spelling Jim Edmonds in center field. Edmonds remains relatively hot, but is no doubt feeling the aches of playing in 11 straight games.