Despite lefty lineup, Fukudome left out again
MILWAUKEE - With Cubs manager Lou Piniella, it seems to be a case of anybody but Fukudome.
Piniella went with a lineup full of left-handed hitters Monday against Astros righty Brian Moehler. One left-handed bat noticeably absent was right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who has started just one game in the last seven. So far in September, Fukudome has made just 3 starts in 11 games.
Piniella instead went with Micah Hoffpauir in right. That relegates Fukudome to the role of $48 million defensive replacement. If he's not permanently in Piniella's doghouse, he's well on his way to taking up residence.
In fact, the Cubs used three right fielders Monday, and none was named Fukudome. Hoffpauir started and was replaced by Reed Johnson and Mark DeRosa as the game wore on. All Piniella said after the game was that Fukudome was available.
"We're still trying to determine on Hoffpauir," said Piniella, who has grown weary of even talking about Fukudome.
There was no mention of Fukudome, who is batting .261 with 9 homers and 54 RBI. His on-base percentage is .361, and his slugging is .379, giving him an anemic OPS of .740, or 61st in the National League.
Because Fukudome is here for four years (and the aforementioned $48 million), this situation may have to be settled with a meeting of the minds among Piniella, Fukudome and general manager Jim Hendry.
Fukudome sported a .383 OBP at the all-star break but wound up with a .236 batting average in July and .193 in August.
Enough already: Derrek Lee insisted Monday he didn't need a rest, despite what Lou Piniella suggested when he said the two-day layoff might have helped Lee's bat.
Lee went 2-for-4 Monday, with his first homer since Aug. 22. Sunday, he doubled home 2.
"I'm not going to say I'm 'back' after two games," Lee said. "It's been kind of an up-down season for me. You guys probably don't believe me, but I don't really ever get tired. I always feel fine. Maybe it livened up my bat a little. Maybe I did need a rest. I didn't feel like I needed a rest."