Monroe 'excited about being here'
PHOENIX -- Craig Monroe was not in the starting lineup for the Cubs on Friday night, but look for him tonight when the Cubs face Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Doug Davis.
Monroe joined his new team one day after his trade from the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named.
The 30-year-old outfielder seemed happy to be a Cub.
"I'm excited," Monroe said. "I can't say anything bad about the Tigers organization. I had an excellent time there. I felt like they gave me an opportunity to play and show major-league baseball and myself what I can do. I've always been a big fan of the Cubbies.
"With WGN at home in Texas, getting a chance to watch these guys, just to put this jersey on, it feels good."
The Cubs are hoping a change of scenery helps kick-start Monroe again after a career year in 2006 for the American League champions.
After hitting 28 homers last year and driving in 92, Monroe is hitting just .222 with 11 homers, 55 RBI and an on-base percentage of .264 this season. The right-handed batter didn't perform well against righty pitchers, but against lefties, he batted .302 with 5 homers and a .542 slugging percentage this year.
He wasn't sure to what to attribute his slide.
"The funny thing is, I think it's the game of baseball," he said. "So many times, guys have great years. Knowing myself, I put a lot of pressure on myself to come back this year and do even better. I think instead of allowing it to happen, it ended up not being a good situation for me."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he plans to use Monroe primarily against lefties. That sounded fine to Monroe.
"I'm not really concerned," he said. "I'm here. I'm excited about just being here. Really, whatever the role they have set aside for me in any way that I can help this team, that's what I'm here to do."
Prior here: The Cubs were hoping injured pitcher Mark Prior would come to Chase Field on Friday to meet with the trainers. That happened shortly after 5 p.m. as Prior strode into the clubhouse, after access time for reporters. Prior has been on the disabled list all year because of shoulder problems that led to arthroscopic surgery.
Wood workings: Lou Piniella said he feels that pitcher Kerry Wood is progressing well after missing much of this year in his return from shoulder rehab.
"He's starting to get his breaking ball over, which is good," Piniella said. "It gives him that second pitch. His fastball is consistently in the 93- to 94-mile-an-hour range.
"We haven't pushed him all that much. I don't think we've used him back-to-back days. I think that'll be the test, or even if we have to use him 2 innings one time.
"But we're pleased. We're pleased with his progress."
Roster doings: The Cubs optioned outfielder Jake Fox to Class AAA Iowa to make room for Craig Monroe. In two stints with the Cubs, Fox batted .143 (2-for-14) with 2 doubles and an RBI. He's a good bet to be called back when rosters expand Sept. 1. …
As much as lefty reliever Will Ohman angered the Cubs with his claim of being injured upon being sent to Iowa this month, he almost certainly will not be the player to be named later for Monroe. Lefty pitchers Neal Cotts and Clay Rapada, both at Iowa, are candidates.