--LHP Rich Hill seems less likely to return to the Cubs soon, if at all this season. Hill has gone from the big leagues to Class AAA Iowa to the Cubs' minor league complex in Arizona. On Tuesday, he started and lasted only one-third of an inning, giving up one hit and five runs (four earned) during a game in the rookie-level Arizona League. He walked three and hit a batter, as his command issues continue. Manager Lou Piniella said the organization has talked about shutting Hill down completely, at least for a bit. Hill opened the year as the Cubs' No. 4 starter.
--LF Alfonso Soriano may be able to take batting practice as early as this weekend in St. Louis. He'll have another X-ray later this week in Chicago. If there is no adverse change in the bone structure of his broken left hand, he'll likely be cleared for BP, manager Lou Piniella said. Soriano went on the DL June 12, and the Cubs' initial timetable was six weeks. If Soriano continues healing at a good pace, he could come back sooner than expected. --RF Kosuke Fukudome probably will drop from first to second in the batting order when LF Alfonso Soriano comes back. Fukudome has been hitting leadoff since June 18, putting up a .396 on-base percentage in that role. He opened the year hitting fifth.
--With OF Reed Johnson coming off the disabled list Thursday, CF Jim Edmonds will get a break now and then, according to manager Lou Piniella. Edmonds has performed well playing every day, and Piniella may have him bat fifth on most days against right-handed pitching.
--SS Ryan Theriot was a late lineup scratch because of a stomach illness. Ronny Cedeno replaced him. Theriot pinch-hit later in the game and wound up going 0-for-2, both strikeouts.
BY THE NUMBERS: 13 -- When C Geovany Soto hit his 13th home run of the season June 27, he became the first Cubs rookie with at least 13 since Rafael Palmeiro hit 14 in 1987. The last Cubs rookie catcher with at least 13 was Randy Hundley, who hit 19 in 1966.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I guess 'Z' is back. I'm ready to rock and roll and get back to doing my job." -- Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, on his final preparations for coming off the DL.
