--LF Alfonso Soriano will play Monday for the Cubs' Arizona Rookie League team in Peoria, Ariz., as he rehabs his broken left hand. Soriano also may play for Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) Tuesday at Tucson. It's possible he could return to the Cubs Wednesday at Arizona, one day ahead of schedule He has been on the DL since June 12 with a broken bone in his left hand. Manager Lou Piniella gave it a 25 percent chance that Soriano could return as early as Monday.
--RHP Kerry Wood did not pitch over the weekend because of a blister on his right index finger. The ailment has bothered Wood for several weeks, and it kept him out of the All-Star Game. It's possible Wood could go on the DL Monday. He has not pitched since July 11, and the Cubs could backdate the DL assignment to July 12. --RF Kosuke Fukudome was moved from second to seventh in the batting order Saturday as he has endured his first extended slump of the season. Manager Lou Piniella said he made the move to take some of the pressure off Fukudome, who returned to the No. 2 spot Sunday.
--SS Ryan Theriot extended his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games Sunday. He has his OBP up to .401. Theriot has recorded multiple hits in eight of his last 11 games.
--RHP Ryan Dempster recorded his first road victory since June 2, 2006, at St. Louis.
--RHP Rich Harden starts Monday at Arizona. It's his first start since July 12, as the Cubs take it easy on his troublesome right shoulder.
BY THE NUMBERS: 20 -- The Cubs open the unofficial second half of the season with a string of 20 straight games. That could become an issue if closer Kerry Wood's finger blister presents continued problems or if the starting pitchers can't go at least six innings consistently.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think I'm a smart guy. Sometimes I make them think that I'm out of my game, but I'm not." -- Carlos Zambrano, reacting to manager Lou Piniella saying he needed to harness his emotions while on the mound.
