--LHP Scott Eyre came off the DL Friday, one day earlier than expected. Eyre, 35, has not pitched for the Cubs this year because of irritation in his pitching elbow. Eyre has been bothered by a bone chip. He also said he has arthritis in the elbow, and he's taking medication for it.
--LHP Sean Marshall was optioned to Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) Friday when LHP Scott Eyre came off the DL. Marshall has been a starting pitcher throughout his professional career, but the Cubs used him out of the pen in Eyre's absence. The team had toyed with the idea of keeping both Eyre and Marshall and carrying 13 pitchers. But they decided it would be better to get Marshall "stretched out" to start at Iowa. --2B Mark DeRosa went 2-for-3 in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. DeRosa endured a miserable six-game road trip, going 1-for-16. Manager Lou Piniella gave DeRosa a complete day off Tuesday in Cincinnati and didn't start him Wednesday. DeRosa has been playing all over the diamond, filling in at left field while Alfonso Soriano was on the DL. Manager Lou Piniella said he felt DeRosa needed a break.
--C Geovany Soto was the NL Rookie of the Month for March/April. Soto batted .341 with five homers, 21 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .424 and a slugging percentage of .635 over the first month. He was 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Friday.
--LHP Ted Lilly found new life on his fastball in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Lilly crossed the 90-mph barrier, something he had trouble doing over the first month. He struck out 10 and walked two. The seven innings matched a season high, and the 10 strikeouts were Lilly's best this year.
--RHP Ryan Dempster, who starts Saturday against Arizona, has limited opposing batters to a .172 average, including .134 by left-handed hitters. Dempster is 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA against the Diamondbacks. Overall this year, he's 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- The Cubs entered the week having loaded the bases in 14 straight games. It's a reflection of a more patient approach at the plate, which is leading to more walks and a higher team on-base percentage.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just need to sort some things out and work some of our kinks out, and we're going to be fine." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on fan and media anxiety in Chicago.
