Wood, Piniella both perplexed by blister

MILWAUKEE - Kerry Wood said Wednesday he was going to "stop thinking about and stop talking about" the blister on his right index finger.

That won't make the problem go away, and the problem isn't going away as Wood was unable to throw in a simulated game Wednesday. That alleged simulated game may have been some wishful thinking on the part of manager Lou Piniella, who seems impatient to have his closer back.

"Initially, we had talked about a simulated game, bringing a few hitters here, and let (Wood) get some work in with a little pad in his finger," Piniella said. "It didn't happen because he's really not close to coming back. So why risk it?"

What does "not close" mean?

"No, I don't have any idea," Piniella said. "When I say 'not close,' it's not 'imminent' close."

Piniella also didn't want to go anywhere near the idea of Wood having to pitch through some discomfort at some point soon.

"I don't have any comment on that," Piniella said.

Wood has tried every remedy, from vitamin E to various ointments.

"When I played, pitchers had blisters, and they put that Tuff Skin on there, and they seemed to function pretty well," Piniella said. "I don't have any idea. Woody wants to get out there. It's just a question of being able to throw without discomfort."

Deadline day: Cubs general manager Jim Hendry wouldn't comment specifically on any trade rumors, but he did say he was on the phone Wednesday with four or five other GMs.

The nonwaiver trading deadline is at 3 p.m. today, and it wouldn't be a total surprise if Hendry stood pat, at least for now.

Cubs people confirm a left-handed bat is tops on their list. One name making the rounds is Seattle outfielder Raul Ibanez. The Cubs had coveted Ibanez for several off-seasons, but the previous front office in Seattle deemed him untouchable.

That may have changed now, but it's still unclear whether the Cubs can get a deal done for Ibanez, who traditionally has been a good on-base-percentage guy.

He's pretty much limited to corner-outfield play, meaning Kosuke Fukudome would have to play some center field on days Ibanez would start.

Missing in inaction: Lefty reliever Scott Eyre hasn't pitched since June 26. That time includes a stint on the disabled list from late June until he was activated July 23.

"Florida and Milwaukee are very right-handed," Lou Piniella said of the Cubs' two most recent opponents. "And it's hard for me to bring in a left-hander just to face a couple of left-hand hitters and take right-handers out of the mix of a game because we've overused the right-handed side. Whoever I used that particular day, I'm hoping to get more than an inning from."

Piniella said he used righty Jeff Samardzija in Tuesday's blowout because he wanted to get the rookie some ninth-inning experience, especially on the road.