Questions about Harden make Hendry testy

Rich Harden looked genuinely taken aback Tuesday when reporters approached him.

"Didn't we already talk about this?" he asked reporters

"This" was the latest news, as delivered by Cubs manager Lou Piniella, that Harden probably won't make his next start until next Wednesday or Thursday in St. Louis. Earlier on this homestand, Piniella indicated Harden could go next Tuesday in the series opener at Busch Stadium. It wasn't so much the news as Piniella's cryptic manner that raised questions anew about Harden's troublesome right shoulder, which put him on the disabled list earlier this year at Oakland.

"He needed the time," Piniella said. "Obviously, if he could pitch, we would have kept him in the rotation."

When asked if Harden came to him about the decision, Piniella said: "He needed the time. I'll just leave it at that."

General manager Jim Hendry seemed peeved at the attention the situation was getting and said the Cubs are handling Harden the way they said they would when they trade for him in July, knowing full well his shoulder needed rest from time to time. Hendry was asked whether nearly two weeks between starts raises any red flags.

"Why mess up everybody else?" Hendry said.

"Give him the whole one (turn) off an try to freshen him back up. It was going to happen anyhow. Obviously, he didn't throw quite as well (in his last start). Go back and read the stories when we traded for him how we were going to handle him."

Harden said he's in no pain.

"I feel good," he said.

The Cubs will go with Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Carlos Zambrano this weekend in Cincinnati after Thursday's off-day.

Unsung hero: The Cubs have organization catching coordinator Casey Kopitzke at Wrigley Field. A catcher in the Cubs system from 1999-2006, Kopitzke was Geovany Soto's backup at Class AAA Iowa two years ago.

"I asked him a lot about pitch selection, about throwing to second, blocking balls," said Soto, a National League all-star.

"He helped me a lot in every aspect of the game. He worked with me every time the rovers came in. He knows a lot about the game - footwork and blocking. I really appreciate everything he did for me."

Fukudome sits: Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome did not start against righty Brandon Backe, nor will he start tonight against left-hander Randy Wolf, according to Lou Piniella.

Fukudome was 3-for-16 on the homestand entering Tuesday.

"We're just giving him a day off," Piniella said. "That's it."

Reliever Chad Gaudin probably won't be available until the weekend because of a sore lower back.

Dempster honored: Ryan Dempster is the Cubs' recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, giving for outstanding baseball achievement and community work. He is one of 30 finalists for the national award.