The Cubs went huffing and puffing into this week and were glad to have a rainout Sunday night. Their bullpen has been overtaxed and, in some ways, under-performing. An extra-inning game Saturday didn't help. Too many walks have hurt the bullpen, as has the starters' failure to go deep in most games this season. Offensively, the Cubs are hitting well, but they should benefit from the return of RF Milton Bradley. Bradley did not start for a week because of a strained right groin.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Aramis Ramirez left the game in the fifth inning. He strained his left calf running out a double in the second. He appears to be day-to-day. He said his leg was sore after the game.
--RHP Carlos Marmol had to come out of the eighth inning after his left spike caught in the dirt as he delivered a pitch. Marmol twisted the leg, and the Cubs said he has a strained muscle near the left knee. The Cubs say they'll know more about Marmol Saturday. The Cubs opened the season with no player on the DL, and they've remained that way.
--2B Mike Fontenot struck out three times and doubled. He moved to third base when Aramis Ramirez left the game. Aaron Miles took over at second. Fontenot is coming off a homestand during which he went 2-for-22. With the injuries to Milton Bradley and now Ramirez, the Cubs' depth is being tested. "We've got no bench," Lou Piniella said. "We've got to get somebody in here."
--RF Micah Hoffpauir committed an error that led to a run, and manager Lou Piniella said he may no longer be able to sacrifice defense for offense. Hoffpauir is a first baseman by trade but has been playing right in Milton Bradley's absence.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Aramis Ramirez (left calf soreness) left the April 24 game and is day-to-day.
RHP Carlos Marmol (strained left leg muscle) left the April 24 game and is day-to-day.
RF Milton Bradley (right groin strain) left the April 12 game and didn't start April 13-21, though he appeared twice as a pinch hitter. He returned to the lineup April 22, then sat out again April 23. Manager Lou Piniella said Bradley wouldn't return until he is 100 percent, but Bradley pinch-hit on April 24.
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 Jeff Samardzija
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
