--LF Alfonso Soriano originally had planned to hit off a tee and take "soft-toss" pitches, but he said his left hand felt so good that he took regular batting practice. Soriano is recovering from a broken left hand, suffered on June 11. If all goes well, he'll accompany the team to Arizona after Sunday's game and head to the minor-league complex Monday to get six or seven at-bats in an extending-spring-training game. The Cubs would like him to join their Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) club for two rehab games in Tucson, Tuesday and Wednesday. Soriano and the Cubs plan for him to rejoin the active roster next Thursday, when they return home to play Florida.
--RHP Kerry Wood was unavailable because of a blister on his right index finger. The ailment kept him out of the All-Star Game. The Cubs may hold Wood out Saturday with the hope he can work Sunday. --RHP Jon Lieber went on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 11, with a strained right foot. The strain is on the outside of the foot, according to Lieber, who had surgery last year as a member of the Phillies to repair a ruptured tendon. He said the foot has been bothering him for several days.
--IF-OF Micah Hoffpauir was recalled from Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) to replace Lieber. That reduced the Cubs' pitching staff from 13 to 12. Hoffpauir, a left-handed batter, is in his third stint with the big club this year. He has 14 hits in 35 at-bats (.400) during his big-league time this year.
--LHP Scott Eyre threw a bullpen session Friday and plans to throw another Saturday. After that, the Cubs will determine whether they feel Eyre needs additional minor-league rehab time. Eyre has been on the DL since late June with a strained left groin. He was on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break and may not want to do another.
--SS Ryan Theriot increased his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games with a third-inning double.
--RF Kosuke Fukudome went 0-for-4 and saw his slump reach 7-for-46 over the last seven games. Manager Lou Piniella bemoaned a lack of patience on Fukudome's part. That patience was a hallmark of his hitting over the first two months of the season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 57 -- The Cubs have reached 57 victories before the All-Star break for the first time since 1969, when they had 61. The Cubs are 57-38 at the break. Last year, they were 44-43.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've said it's like the British Open. I've said that a few times." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on the capricious nature of Wrigley Field, where the wind can change direction at any time and alter the course of play.
