--3B Aramis Ramirez is scheduled to rejoin the Cubs Thursday after tending to family matters in the Dominican Republic. The Cubs have been operating with 24 players for the last three games.

--RHP Carlos Zambrano will head to St. Louis on Thursday in preparation for his start Friday. It'll be Zambrano's first start off the DL. Manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs will closely monitor Zambrano's pitch count in his first start and probably in his first two. Zambrano has been on the DL since June 19 because of a strained right shoulder.

--RHP Sean Gallagher will pitch Thursday's series finale against the Giants. After that, the Cubs will have to decide whether to keep Gallagher in the rotation or send him to the bullpen as a middle reliever. Either Gallagher or LHP Sean Marshall will have to go to the 'pen after Zambrano comes back and the Cubs go a turn around the rotation. Piniella has talked of a "power arm" in the pen, and Gallagher fits the description. However, Piniella likes him as a starter, and Marshall pitched well as a reliever early in the season.

--RHP Carlos Marmol picked up the victory but suffered his second blown save. Marmol has struggled of late, and Piniella said he'll talk with him Thursday about locating pitches better.

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.