Cubs' All-Stars raving over NYC

HOUSTON - The Cubs who took part in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium were still abuzz about the experience Friday.

"It was a rush," said pitcher Ryan Dempster, a former closer who found himself in the ninth inning and pitched scoreless ball. "It's probably as much fun as I've had in a game."

Dempster turned over the closer duties to Kerry Wood, who could not play in the All-Star Game because of a blister on his finger.

"I told Woody I don't miss sitting around four hours before I pitch," Dempster said.

Catcher Geovany Soto, who started the game, was still excited.

"Oh, my God, I thought it was going to be awesome, but to be on the stage with all those Hall of Famers was something really, really impressive," he said. "It was surreal. I couldn't believe I was there. I still can't."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella, a longtime Yankee, was a coach on the National League staff.

"The parade was humbling in a way," Piniella said. "The whole experience. I'm not too much of a nostalgic person, but it got to me a little bit when I lined up behind shortstop, and they introduced all the Hall of Famers and they had the present-day all-stars go out to their positions. It was really a nice moment."

Roster move: The Cubs placed relief pitcher Jon Lieber on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, because of a strained right foot. To replace Lieber, they recalled infielder-outfielder Micah Hoffpauir from Class AAA Iowa.

Lieber pointed to the outside of the foot as the trouble spot. With the Phillies last year, Lieber underwent season-ending surgery on July 6 to repair a ruptured tendon in the foot. He said this problem is related.

"Anytime you get cut on ..." he said.

Hoffpauir begins his third stint with the Cubs. In 18 games earlier this year, he was 14-for-35 (. 400) with 6 doubles.

Hill update: Left-hander Rich Hill started for Class A Daytona Friday as he continues his attempted comeback from command problems. Hill worked 4 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) while walking three and striking out six.

"Just keep moving him up the ladder and hope that it will keep going well and break him back in from two real good successful outings in Arizona," said general manager Jim Hendry. "We don't have a time frame there. Hopefully it'll be a couple (at Daytona) and move him up to Double-A."