Cubs make some moves
The Cubs bought themselves some 40-man roster flexibility Thursday by making a pair of moves.
They traded minor-league outfielder Buck Coats to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later.
The Detroit Tigers claimed left-handed reliever Clay Rapada, also a player at Class AAA Iowa, off waivers. Rapada will serve as the player to be named later in last week's deal that brought outfielder Craig Monroe from the Tigers to the Cubs.
That leaves the Cubs' 40-man roster at 39, meaning they have room to make a last-minute trade today to make sure a new player can be eligible for postseason play, beating the Sept. 1 deadline.
A trade doesn't seem likely, but general manager Jim Hendry was working the phones Thursday.
The two moves also clear a spot for minor-league pitcher Kevin Hart, if the Cubs decide they like him enough to make him a September call-up.
Hendry also confirmed Thursday that left-handed reliever Will Ohman would be among the September call-ups. The Cubs demoted Ohman to Iowa earlier this month, and Ohman angered Cubs officials and his teammates by claiming his shoulder was hurt.
Earlier this week, Hendry said he'd have "no problem" recalling Ohman, and the buzz inside the clubhouse was that Ohman's teammates are ready to move on.
Piniella OK with Big Z: Manager Lou Piniella acknowledged that staff ace Carlos Zambrano would have to help carry the Cubs in September. Piniella, who said after Wednesday night's loss that he wanted to see the successful Zambrano of earlier this summer, seemed satisfied with Zambrano's response to the challenge.
Zambrano told reporters Piniella would see the winning Zambrano down the stretch.
"I read his comments, and I liked his comments," Piniella said. "You'll see him. Enough said."
Zambrano has not won in August, and a lower arm slot may have been a problem again recently.
"We need Carlos to step it up and win his share of games," Piniella said. "Obviously, we need everybody else to do their jobs. Yeah, he's the ace of our staff. With that comes more expectations."
Soto catches award: Catcher Geovany Soto, who had a cup of coffee with the Cubs this season, was named the Pacific Coast League most valuable player.
Soto, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the first catcher to win PCL MVP honors since Sandy Alomar Jr. (1988-89). Entering Thursday at Iowa, Soto led the league in RBI (106) and slugging percentage (.650) and was second in the batting race at .353.
Lou Piniella said Soto would rejoin the Cubs on Saturday."
Pen ready: Lou Piniella downplayed any notion that he had to take it easy on his bullpen.
"I think it's something we've tried to take care of all summer so that in September, we could take a little more liberties with it if we had to," he said. "I think that's been the case. I don't think anybody's been overused. We're giving people the proper rest.
"There's plenty of time to rest in October. We've got to get after it. Whatever it takes, that's what we're going to do. Obviously, we're not going to take a chance on hurting somebody. As these games dwindle down in numbers, what are you going to save it for?"
Scouting report
Cubs vs. Houston Astros at Wrigley Field
TV: Channel 9 today and Sunday; Comcast SportsNet Saturday
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Sean Marshall (7-6) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (7-12) today at 1:20 p.m.; Jason Marquis (10-8) vs. Troy Patton (0-1) Saturday at 12:05 p.m.; Rich Hill (8-7) vs. Woody Williams (8-13) Sunday at 1:20 p.m.
At a glance: The Cubs could use some success against the Astros, who just knocked off the Cardinals two of three. The Astros swept the Cubs in Houston earlier this month and are 5-4 against the Cubs. The Cubs will face a pair of lefties in Rodriguez and Patton, and left-handers have given the Cubs fits all year. The Astros' Carlos Lee has cracked the 100-RBI mark and is among the NL leaders. Lance Berkman is batting .613 (19-for-31) against Marquis. Look for Matt Murton to start today for the Cubs. He's 5-for-14 with 2 homers off Rodriguez. Derrek Lee has 2 homers vs. Rodriguez.
Next: Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, Monday-Thursday
-- Bruce Miles