No drama on this day
PHOENIX -- All was peace, love and harmony Thursday between Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis and manager Lou Piniella.
Marquis pitched 3 scoreless innings in the Cubs' 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Unlike last Saturday, when Marquis spoke about taking his services elsewhere if he couldn't be a starting pitcher, Marquis said it was all behind him Thursday.
"Me and Lou spoke the next day," Marquis said. "It's just a miscommunication of words, and everything's behind us, and it's back to pitching and baseball."
Marquis got seven outs on groundballs against the A's. He also threw an 0-1 changeup to Dan Johnson in the first inning with men on first and second and nobody out. Johnson popped out.
"My goal is to pound the bottom of the strike zone, first and foremost, with my sinker and every other pitch I throw," Marquis said. "I elevated some pitches when I wanted to. I'll keep working to get consistent with that. That's my game and everybody knows it."
DeRosa update: Second baseman Mark DeRosa said Thursday he wants to get back into game action Monday. DeRosa is recovering from a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.
"As long as I can move side to side … the problem is not the heart," he said. "The problem is making sure the leg is fine because they go in through the groin. It's bruised. They just want to make sure it heals properly."
The Cubs don't want to rush DeRosa, and they may wait until the middle of next week before playing him.
"He's probably a little antsy, but he can wait a few more days," manager Lou Piniella said.
Soriano progressing: Left fielder Alfonso Soriano felt well enough Thursday to take batting practice. Soriano is recovering from a break at the top of his right middle finger, an injury he suffered Sunday. Lou Piniella said Soriano might be able to play in the early to middle part of next week.
In other news, reliever Scott Eyre was sent home because he showed up ill.
Bullpen bits: Lou Piniella backed off a bit on his tough talk Wednesday about taking over the relief-pitching schedule, saying it was too early for that and that he'd defer to pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
Wuertz works: Reliever Michael Wuertz was happy with Wednesday's debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wuertz struck out two of the three batters he faced.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild had held Wuertz out to allow him to build arm strength.
"The arm feels good," Wuertz said. "I think what Larry and I have talked about, just getting arm strength back and everything, really helped. Taking a few extra days, throwing a simulated game or a side here or there really helped out quite a bit."
Center of attention: Unless the Cubs make a trade, which is possible, it looks like Felix Pie has the lead over Sam Fuld in the battle for the center-field job.
"How is it shaping up?" Lou Piniella asked, giving it some thought. "Pie's in front. He's got more experience. At this juncture, if we had to start today, he'd be our center fielder."
Athletics 2, Cubs 1
Cubs' record: 2-6
At the plate: Daryle Ward, making his Cactus League debut, doubled home Kosuke Fukudome in the fourth to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Catcher Geovany Soto had a pair of infield hits.
On the mound: Jason Marquis pitched 3 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits. Bob Howry and Kerry Wood each pitched a scoreless inning. Jose Ceda (0-1) was charged with a blown save when Oakland scored 2 in the eighth.
Next: The Cubs return to HoHoKam Park to play the Mariners. Ted Lilly pitches for the Cubs against Carlos Silva.
-- Bruce Miles