--LHP Scott Eyre was not available for Friday's game because of a strained left groin suffered Thursday against Baltimore. Eyre rode the exercise bike and took icing treatments. He's day-to-day. If the Cubs need to put him on the disabled list, there are slim pickings at the minor league level. RHP Jose Ascanio is getting back into the swing after a death in the family. LHP Carmen Pignatiello, who opened the season with the big club, is throwing adequately at Class AAA Iowa.
--1B Derrek Lee grounded into double plays his first two times up. Lee has grounded into 19 double plays this year. He entered the day tied for the league lead. "I've had 'double-play-itis' this year," he said. --INF/OF Daryle Ward started in right field as Lou Piniella went with a makeshift lineup. RF Kosuke Fukudome led off and was the DH. His tight left calf still isn't 100 percent. Ward is fresh off the disabled list after rehabbing a bulging disk in his lower back.
--LF Alfonso Soriano had new X-rays taken of his broken left hand. The Cubs said Soriano may now start doing range-of-motion and strengthening exercises without the splint. Soriano has been on the disabled list since June 12. His original timetable was six weeks, but the Cubs hope to have him back sooner.
--CF Jim Edmonds has three home runs against the White Sox this year, all against Jose Contreras. Those are the only hits he has against the White Sox in the two series.
--RHP Sean Gallagher, who starts Saturday against the White Sox, has not pitched since June 19, when he did not factor into the decision in an 8-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Gallagher tossed six innings that game, giving up only one unearned run.
BY THE NUMBERS: 24 -- Come-from-behind victories for the Cubs entering the week, tops in the major leagues.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Whenever you guys get done tying me to the Cardinals, it'll be fine, so I can start getting a little bit of Cubs history in my background." -- CF Jim Edmonds, on reporters asking him about being accepted by Cubs fans.
