Manager Lou Piniella admitted he is still learning about his bullpen, which was nearly completely reconstructed during the offseason. Only RHP Carlos Marmol remains from the bullpen that opened the 2008 season. Of most concern to Piniella was the high number of walks the relievers were issuing. He said he and his coaching staff come from "the school" that says pitchers should make hitters beat them by hitting the ball, not by getting a free pass on base.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Aaron Heilman has worked five games in relief without giving up a run. He got a talking-to by manager Lou Piniella on the mound Monday. The message? Throw strikes. "I told him he's got good stuff; trust it," Piniella said. "Go after the hitters. Be aggressive. Be aggressive in the strike zone. Good things will happen for you. That was the message, and I mean it. He's got a good arm and has got some nice sink on the ball."
--OF Kosuke Fukudome moved from center field to right field for Monday's home opener. He also batted third because 3B Aramis Ramirez and RF Milton Bradley were out of the lineup with minor injuries. Fukudome singled home a run and walked three times. He's batting .417 with an on-base percentage of .533. He said over the weekend he's stronger physically and feeling more confident and comfortable in his second year in the major leagues after starring in Japan.
--OF Reed Johnson has been getting playing time with RF Milton Bradley out. He made a catch at the wall Sunday to rob Milwaukee's Prince Fielder of a homer. He's also a key part of the Cubs' "smaller-ball" attack when the conditions don't favor power hitting. "We showed (Monday) we can do the little things," Johnson said. "We've got enough guys in the lineup that can do the little things, as far as moving guys over when the conditions really aren't favorable for offense. We've got a smart enough group and a veteran group."
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Aramis Ramirez (sore back) sat out April 13. He might return to action April 15.
RF Milton Bradley (right groin strain) left the April 12 game and didn't play April 13. He might miss three to five days, manager Lou Piniella said.
C Geovany Soto (sore right shoulder) left the April 7 game and did not start April 8-13, though he pinch-hit April 12. He is expected to return to the starting lineup April 15.
ROTATION:
RHP Carlos Zambrano
RHP Ryan Dempster
LHP Ted Lilly
RHP Rich Harden
LHP Sean Marshall
BULLPEN:
RHP Kevin Gregg (closer)
RHP Carlos Marmol
RHP Aaron Heilman
LHP Neal Cotts
RHP Luis Vizcaino
RHP Angel Guzman
RHP David Patton
CATCHERS:
Geovany Soto
Koyie Hill
INFIELDERS:
1B Derrek Lee
2B Mike Fontenot
SS Ryan Theriot
3B Aramis Ramirez
INF Aaron Miles
1B/OF Micah Hoffpauir
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Alfonso Soriano
CF Kosuke Fukudome
RF Milton Bradley
OF Reed Johnson
OF Joey Gathright
