Piniella plans to substitute plenty
Cubs manager Lou Piniella is ready for August, with some the hottest weather of the summer ahead and his team in the midst of a killer schedule.
The Cubs, in the middle of playing 20 days in a row, don't have another off-day scheduled until Aug. 13.
"We have another 13 or 14 games without a day off, and that's a lot," said Piniella, who has started resting regulars here and there.
In Monday's series opener against the Phillies, Piniella used Matt Murton in right field and Angel Pagan in center.
"You'll see we'll start resting this team and rotating it around a little bit," Piniella said. "It's started (Monday); we've got Murton in there and Pagan is in there in center field. I'll get (shortstop Ronny) Cedeno in there probably (today) or Wednesday. We'll start playing our bench here as much as we can and keep this team very fresh.
"In the past week or so we brought up some kids that started with us (Murton and Cedeno), that have major-league experience and that have ability. Now we'll incorporate them here in our scheme of things in the month of August when the weather is going to turn really, really hot."
Knock on Wood: General manager Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella are eager to plug Kerry Wood into the bullpen once he completes his eighth rehab assignment with another inning-plus outing today for Class AA Tennessee.
"Woody can shore up the bullpen to a real fine level real fast if he can come back healthy," said Hendry, who hopes to activate Wood either Thursday or Friday.
When Hendry watched Wood pitch last week at Class A Peoria, Hendry saw a number of positive things.
"I could see right away that it wasn't taking him long to get loose," Hendry said. "He was nice and fluid and the ball was coming out of his hand nice and easy. And his command was good.
"Rehab is much more than just gun times and did he get through it. When a guy has good command and good velocity the second day in a row, then you're usually on your way to good health."
Three's a crowd: With Henry Blanco nearing a return from a cervical herniated disk in his neck that has kept him on the disabled list since June 1, the Cubs will have a decision to make at catcher.
Right now they're carrying Jason Kendall and Koyle Hill. Blanco, rehabbing at Peoria, could be ready to play in 10 days, according to Lou Piniella.
"It's hard to carry three catchers in August. It's hard to carry three catchers at any time," Piniella said. "Sure, it's going to be a tough decision. I don't know what will happen in that regard."
Jim Hendry wasn't so sure Blanco would be ready to jump back into the majors so quickly.
"Henry's been through a lot and I'm hopeful Henry will still come back and help us down the stretch," Hendry said. "But he hasn't played in a long time. We'll put our heads together and do what's best for him."
New look: Former White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi said it felt strange to be back in Chicago so soon after last week's trade to Philadelphia. It looked even more strange to see him wearing Phillies red.
"The trade was no surprise," Iguchi said through his interpreter. "We had heard the rumors."