Cubs getting healthy vs. Braves

The reinforcements arrive Monday night.

At long last, the Cubs will be at full strength for their series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, outfielder Reed Johnson and reliever Angel Guzman will come off the disabled list.

The Cubs are looking most forward to the return of Ramirez, who has been out since May 8, when he dislocated his left shoulder.

Manager Lou Piniella does not want Ramirez to think he has to "save" the Cubs' season.

"Look, I think what it does is it sets up the lineup better," said Piniella, who will bat Ramirez fourth, behind Derrek Lee. "It gives the pitcher on the other side another good hitter to concern himself with. It gets us deeper into the lineup.

"But to think that he's going to come over here and be our savior after missing two months is not fair to him. But over time, yes, it'll help, no question."

Ramirez and Johnson made their final rehab appearances for Class A Peoria on Sunday. Ramirez was 1-for-2 with a walk. Johnson was 1-for-4 with a run scored. Guzman has been back from Class AAA Iowa a couple of days and said he's ready to go after a bout with a strained right triceps.

"I was throwing good," Guzman said. "I was doing the same as I was during the year - attacking the strike zone because I really have to be ready for tomorrow and the rest of the season."

Decision day: When the veterans get back, Lou Piniella and general manager Jim Hendry will have to make some tough roster moves.

Piniella had talked of going down to 11 pitchers from 12, but he hedged on that Sunday.

"Every time we talk about 11 pitchers, we have a game like yesterday," he said of Saturday's 11-2 loss. "It sort of sets you back in your thinking. We've got to make decisions here. We're going to have three people added to our roster here in short order."

Outfielder Sam Fuld is a likely candidate to be sent back to Class AAA Iowa. Pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Hart are recent call-ups and could be sent back.

The Cubs have gotten contributions from Samardzija and Hart as well as from Fuld and third baseman Jake Fox.

The Cubs would be hard pressed to justify sending Fox down, but backup first baseman Micah Hoffpauir is a candidate for Iowa.

In any event, the kids have earned some respect.

"The guys who have been here have done such a great job," pitcher Ted Lilly said. "They've really brought an energy to the club, and you see how hungry they are when they come up here and get an opportunity and play and prove themselves and how badly they want to stay.

"Just in that sense, it's given our club a lift and also, in some regard, kind of been an example to some of the other guys.

"I've enjoyed watching the enthusiasm they bring to the field."