CHICAGO – It’s no surprise the Cubs are close to breaking a club record for most players used in a season, the only shock is that somebody else has used more.

When left-handed reliever Alex Hinshaw came on to make his Cubs debut in the seventh inning it marked the 48th player used by the Cubs this season. The team record is 51 players used in 2000.

The San Diego Padres that have used the most players this season, getting 51 into action for a club that started the day four games better than the Rockies in the loss column in their own division.

Hinshaw has actually played for both the Cubs and Padres this season. He was claimed off waivers last weekend and joined the club in Milwaukee this week.

He only faced one batter, Saturday, getting Carlos Gonzalez to ground into a fielder’s choice. The winning run ended up scoring on the play when the Cubs weren’t able to turn a double play.

There is an outside chance the Cubs get to the club record for players used when rosters expand in September. Although it remains unclear who they will bring up, there are a few players that can be recalled who haven’t seen big league action this season.

Infielder Junior Lake and pitcher Miguel Socolovich could be added next month, which would at least get the Cubs to 50 players used.