Manager Lou Piniella will rest at least one of his outfielders in Friday's series opener against the Giants at Wrigley Field.
The prime candidate looks to be right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who went 0-for-5 in Thursday's 12-7 loss to the Reds. Fukudome also fouled a ball off his right shin, requiring a bandage after the game. Piniella noted that Fukudome appears to be "swinging tired" of late. For the past couple of weeks, Piniella has cited this being Fukudome's first year in the major leagues after he played in Japan.
The amount of games, the extensive travel the Cubs have done this year and the varying starting time of games may be catching up to Fukudome, Piniella said.
Daryle Ward probably will start in left field Friday, with Mark DeRosa moving to right. DeRosa, who has played in 86 of the Cubs' 92 games, also is a candidate for a breather, as is center fielder Jim Edmonds, who is slumping. Edmonds is 1-for-14 in his last five games.
REDS 12, CUBS 7: Ted Lilly lasted a season-low 2 2/3 innings, as he gave up six hits and four runs, including a pair of homers. Cubs pitchers allowed seven homers. Chad Gaudin, obtained in Tuesday's trade with Oakland, made his Cubs debut, allowing two hits and one run in two innings. Mike Fontenot homered, doubled and drove in three. Ryan Theriot and Geovany Soto each had two hits.
