Hugs, handshakes between Zambrano and Edmonds

If Carlos Zambrano wondered why everybody wanted to talk to him Thursday, maybe it had something to do with his "no comment" on Wednesday.

A couple of reporters approached the ace of the Cubs pitching staff Wednesday and wanted to ask him about Jim Edmonds, his soon-to-be new teammate.

Zambrano shot back with a brusque "no comment."

So on Thursday, he made a clubhouse show of shaking hand with Edmonds and giving him a "man hug."

When most of the reporters missed it, Zambrano made another show of re-enacting it.

Back in 2004, Zambrano got himself thrown out of a Wrigley Field game after hitting Edmonds with a pitch. Zambrano, who shows as much emotion on the field as any player in the game, didn't like the way Edmonds admired a home run that day.

Looking back, Zambrano said it was a mistake, and the mistake was his.

"That's in the past," Zambrano said. "Whatever happened in the past is already in the past. Let's move on. I don't have anything against him. I believe he doesn't have anything against me. We shook hands yesterday. That was part of the game.

"If there is anyone who has to apologize to somebody, it's me. That was part of an immature guy. Now, there are some things I know that I can't do and things that I know I can do."

Edmonds said similar things.

"We talked last night," he said. "It's been over with a long time. It was just part of the game. I'm sure there's a lot more guys out there who hate each other more than him and I do. It'll be fun."

Ward ailing: Infielder-outfielder Daryle Ward was available for pinch hitting Thursday, and he'll remain so at least through Sunday.

Ward has a bulging disc in his lower back.

"Sometimes they say the bulge heals right on the nerve," Ward said. "It's on the nerve, and it keeps my butt muscle tight. They said the only way I can relieve it is to keep working it. It hurts like (heck) to do the exercises I have to do without getting an injection. We're going to give it to Sunday to see how my body responds to just the exercise."

It's not a foregone conclusion Ward will need a shot, but if he does, he'll have to go on the disabled list.

When and if Ward goes on the DL, first baseman-outfielder Micah Hoffpauir is the Cubs' first choice for a call-up. Hoffpauir has hit well the past two springs, but he was a nonroster player, and there was no room for him with the big club.

He also suffered an oblique-muscle injury early this season, and the Cubs want him to get a few more at-bats.

Whither Pie? Manager Lou Piniella said Thursday he had instructions for recently demoted center fielder Felix Pie.

"I told him to do down there and work on the things he's been doing," said Piniella, who confirmed that minor-league hitting coordinator Dave Keller will work full time with Pie.