Cubs' pitcher Kevin Gregg wants closer's job

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs manager Lou Piniella said his bullpen situation should begin sorting itself out in another week.

Three key pitchers worked in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Angels, with interesting results.

Aaron Heilman started and called his outing "atrocious," as he gave up 5 hits and 1 run in 2 innings. Carlos Marmol hit a pair of batters and struck out two in his inning of work.

And Kevin Gregg set his sights on the closer's job by working a 1-2-3 fourth.

"I want it," Gregg said. "I want to close. I have no qualms about saying that. I'm comfortable there. I'm comfortable with what I've done the last couple years, especially now that I know my knee's healthy."

Gregg saved 61 saves over the last two years with Florida, and he had minor off-season knee surgery before the Cubs traded for him.

Marmol was the setup man to Kerry Wood last year and appears to be the closer of the future, but he said Saturday he'd go along with whatever the Cubs want to do.

Heilman has been in the mix for the fifth starter's spot, but with Sean Marshall apparently in the lead, Heilman may pitch the seventh.

"What we're looking for more than anything else is what we do in the seventh inning," said Piniella, who offered a possible hint by saying that he liked the way Heilman works out of the stretch. "How we set up our bullpen in the seventh inning will dictate a lot what happens everywhere else. Heilman's had experience in that department. He's done a good job there. I have a pretty good idea what we're going to do. Let's just let it play itself out a little bit."

Koskie cleared: Veteran third baseman Corey Koskie passed his physical and was cleared to play. The Cubs signed Koskie to a minor-league contract two weeks ago. The former Twin and Brewer played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Koskie has not played since 2006 when he suffered a concussion and had to deal with the aftereffects.

"It feels real good to be back out here," Koskie said. "It feels better to be symptom free. this is just a bonus to be in a major-league clubhouse again to put on a major-league uniform."

Maybe Monday: Infielder Aaron Miles, who has a bruised right shoulder may be able to play Monday, according to Lou Piniella. Miles injured himself diving into a base while trying to avoid a tag.