--INF-OF Eric Patterson was optioned back to Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) when OF Reed Johnson was activated. The Cubs preferred the right-handed bat of Matt Murton to the left-handed hitting of Patterson, who is still trying to find a defensive position.
--RHP Jose Ascanio is the likely candidate to be sent to the minor leagues when RHP Carlos Zambrano comes off the DL Friday. That doesn't mean Ascanio is out of the picture, though. Manager Lou Piniella likes power arms in the bullpen, and Ascanio throws hard. He could be back sooner rather than later. --RF Kosuke Fukudome moved down to second in the batting order with Reed Johnson hitting leadoff. Manager Lou Piniella indicated earlier this week that Fukudome would hit second when LF Alfonso Soriano comes off the DL. Fukudome took over the top spot in the order a week after Soriano went down, in mid-June.
--RHP Carlos Marmol will look at films Friday with manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild to see if he's tipping his pitches. Marmol has given up a pair of three-run homers in two days but says he's feeling fine physically.
--3B Aramis Ramirez went 0-for-4, extending his hitless skid to 21 at-bats. It was Ramirez's first game back from a three-day trip home to take care of family business. He said he will not require much time to get his stroke back.
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.
