Cubs' Hill having 'a blast' behind the plate

Koyie Hill is getting tired.

No, he's not physically tired. He's just weary of people asking if he's tired from catching so much.

"I'm having a blast," Hill says whenever anybody asks.

Tuesday night's Cubs game against the Astros represented Hill's 18th straight start behind the plate. That's the most by a Cubs catcher since Damon Berryhill started 25 straight in 1989. Hill has been the man since Geovany Soto went on the disabled list with an oblique-muscle strain, effective July 7.

"He's done a real nice job," manager Lou Piniella said. "He calls a real good game. He takes charge back behind home plate. The bottom line is we're winning. We're very pleased with job he's done.

"He throws well, so he stops the other team from getting too adventuresome on the basepaths. He's durable, and he enjoys what he's doing."

Jake Fox is Hill's backup. Entering Tuesday, Hill had caught 1532/3 innings since July 7, with Fox catching 6. Fox earned praise for his work behind the plate late in Monday's 13-inning game. Soto will begin a minor-league rehab "within the week," according to Piniella.

Berg goes back: Ryan Dempster came off the DL to start Tuesday. The Cubs sent Justin Berg back to Class AAA Iowa.

Berg did not get into a game, but general manager Jim Hendry said it's likely he will be back. Berg said the short stay was a good experience.

"It's a little disappointing, but I understand the circumstances," said Berg, who came up last Saturday. "I'm going to go back there and pitch like I know how, and hopefully I get back here as soon as possible."

Post-op: Pitcher Ted Lilly returned Tuesday, one day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Lilly also is rehabbing an inflamed left shoulder.

"For me, it's as soon as possible," he said of his return, which is projected for mid-August. "I really haven't looked at a calendar. What I'm going to try to do is get back sooner than I'm expected to."

Hawkins to DL: The Astros placed reliever LaTroy Hawkins on the DL with shingles. Hawkins was ejected from Monday's game and could face disciplinary action for questioning the motive of home-plate umpire Mike Everitt.

"I thought he had determined who he wanted to win the game anyway," Hawkins said Monday.