Struggling Hill demoted to bullpen

PHILADELPHIA -- Rich Hill is heading for the bullpen this weekend.

According to manager Lou Piniella, it's not a permanent move. The Cubs just want Hill to keep working to solve the problems he's had since spring training.

In Thursday night's 7-3 victory at Pittsburgh, Hill lasted just 3 innings, throwing 72 pitches, only 34 for strikes.

"Larry Rothschild had a nice talk with Hill," Piniella said, referring to the pitching coach. "He's got to throw the ball. We're going to put him in the bullpen here through Sunday. … Maybe by Sunday we can get him a little work out of the bullpen, and we'll put him back in the rotation either against Cincinnati or against Pittsburgh."

Generally, when Piniella says "nice chat," the player should duck for cover. And clearly, the Cubs aren't happy with the passive approach they feel Hill has taken this spring.

Hill agrees he hasn't been aggressive enough.

"It's frustrating because you want to go out there and compete and win," he said. "That's something I didn't do yesterday -- compete. If you're missing that piece of the puzzle, that's a big piece.

"Believe me, it bothers me. It's a problem and it needs to be fixed. … You get back into competing and staying aggressive. When I say stay aggressive, it's throwing the ball the way you know how to throw it."

When Hill was interviewed, he apparently had not yet had his "nice chat."

"Nobody's said anything about being in the bullpen," he said. "I don't foresee that. I'm confident I can (fix things) in the rotation."

As far as the rest of the rotation goes, Piniella said Jason Marquis (strep throat) is feeling better and will start Sunday.

Piniella said Dempster would open against the Reds Tuesday at Wrigley Field with Carlos Zambrano going Wednesday. Either Hill or Ted Lilly could pitch Thursday.

Samardzija sharp: The Cubs were more than pleased with right-hander Jeff Samardzija's start Thursday for Class AA Tennessee.

Samardzija, a member of the 40-man big-league roster, pitched 7 innings of 4-hit, no-run ball in a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville. He walked one and struck out five. For the season, Samardzija is 2-0 with an 0.75 ERA.

Cubs people say they are not at all concerned Samardzija is not striking out more batters because they say he is trying to get hitters out on two or three pitches and that he is still learning to "pitch" in only his second full pro season.