CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs made it official Wednesday: injured left fielder Alfonso Soriano won't be able to play in next in the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium next week.
Soriano said a day earlier he wouldn't be able to play again until after the All-Star break but would attend the game in New York, where he launched his major league career with the Yankees.Soriano has been on the DL since June 12 with a broken left hand from being hit with a pitch from Atlanta's Jeff Bennett.
Manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs had informed Major League Baseball that Soriano would be out of action.
"He's going to the game, but he is not going to be able to play," Piniella said.
Piniella said he would also contact Colorado Rockies and NL manager Clint Hurdle and tell him that Soriano would be sidelined.
Soriano took some batting practice in St. Louis last weekend and experienced some pain and weakness in the hand. Piniella said Soriano might not be able to play until the second series after the All-Star break when the Cubs play at Arizona.
Soriano was one of seven Cubs chosen for the NL All-Star team.
