The longtime minor-league infielder who persevered until getting his big-league debut in 2009 — at 31 — could be on the verge of pushing Augie Ojeda and Darwin Barney for the Cubs’ lone infield bench opening.
He followed a three-hit game Saturday with a 1-for-3 performance Sunday that included a hand in five double plays as the second baseman. He’s batting .438 as the Cubs approach their first major cuts of camp after the day off Wednesday — the symbolic starter gun for a sprint for the last roster spots.
‘‘He’s playing his tail off,’’ said bench coach Pat Listach, the former middle infielder who was acting manager for Sunday’s split-squad game. ‘‘I don’t know what the final numbers are going to be as far as roster spots and what’s available and what we’re going to do. But he’s opening some eyes right now, the last couple of days, especially.’’
