The Cubs hope they have dodged a disabled-list move with All-Star catcher Geovany Soto after a precautionary MRI on Thursday revealed no structural damage in his inflamed right shoulder.
Soto, likely to be sidelined for at least another day or two, was to meet with manager Lou Piniella and other team officials today to discuss his status before the Cubs open a weekend series in Milwaukee. The 2008 National League Rookie of the Year was examined in Chicago on Thursday by team orthopedist Stephen Gryzlo, two days after he was forced to leave a game in Houston after hurting the shoulder on a throw to second.
The Cubs plan to go with only one catcher, Koyie Hill, until Soto returns. They have veteran Mark Johnson at Class AAA Iowa if the injury lingers.
The upside with Hill: The Cubs are 18-8 when he starts behind the plate, dating to 2007.
ON DECK
Cubs AT BREWERS
Today: 3:05 p.m., Ch. 9, 720-AM.
Saturday: 6:05 p.m., CSN, 720-AM. Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 1.50) vs. Dave Bush (0-0, 18.00).
Sunday: 7:05 p.m., ESPN, 720-AM. Ryan Dempster (0-0, 3.00) vs. Jeff Suppan (0-1, 13.50).
The story line: Right fielder Milton Bradley has reached base five times in the Cubs' first three games but still is looking for his first hit (0-for-9). He's a career .333 hitter against Milwaukee (12-for-36 with four home runs). Shortstop Ryan Theriot is off to a 5-for-9 start with three walks for a .615 on-base percentage.
Source: Gordon Wittenmyer
