Lilly strong in rehab start

It looks like all systems are go, and then some, for Cubs lefty Ted Lilly.

In a minor-league rehab start Monday night at Peoria, Lilly picked up the victory in a 2-1 win over Burlington by working 7 innings and giving up 3 hits and 1 run. He walked one and struck out nine.

Perhaps most important, Lilly was able to throw 88 pitches, and 63 went for strikes.

At the plate, Lilly had a single and a walk. He also was caught trying to steal a base.

Lilly will return to Chicago and meet the Cubs on Friday in Milwaukee. If he is OK, he's a good bet to start Saturday evening at Miller Park against the Brewers.

Who goes where? When Ted Lilly comes off the DL, one pitcher will have to move from the starting rotation, and a reliever will have to go to the minor leagues.

Manager Lou Piniella told reporters in New York that no decision has been made and that his pitching plans run through Friday, with Ryan Dempster pitching Friday at Milwaukee.

The Nos. 4 and 5 starters are right-hander Carlos Silva and lefty Tom Gorzelanny. Silva is 1-0 with an 0.69 ERA while Gorzelanny is 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA. Gorzelanny threw Monday and said he was OK after taking a line drive off his upper left arm Saturday.

"These last starts that these guys are getting are not a competition for who's going to stay in the rotation," Piniella told reporters. "We feel good about all our starters. We're fortunate in that regard. Unfortunately, somebody is going to have to go into the bullpen. We'll have some news for you later on this week."