Piniella gets some rest for Gregg

Cubs manager Lou Piniella sat beleaguered closer Kevin Gregg on Monday and may again tonight at Cincinnati.

Gregg blew saves Saturday and Sunday in Florida, and Piniella seemed concerned about Gregg's physical well being.

"He has a little bit of a tired arm," Piniella told cubs.com before Monday's game. "There's no pain in any particular area but just achy. What I'm going to do is talk to him and if that's the case, we can stay away from him."

Marmol filled in as closer. Marmol saved 7 games last year. Gregg has 21 saves in 26 chances.

Piniella said on his WGN radio pregame show that he hoped to stay away from relievers Angel Guzman and Aaron Heilman on Monday.

Soto rehabbing: Catcher Geovany Soto was set to take his minor-league rehab to Class AA Tennessee on Monday night. The Cubs have targeted the weekend series in Colorado for Soto's return, but Soto could return for Wednesday's finale at Cincinnati.

Soto has been out almost a month with a left oblique strain. Koyie Hill started behind the plate Monday for the 23rd straight game.

Big weekend: Outfielder Tyler Colvin, the Cubs' top draft pick in 2006, had a hitting tear of 11-for-11 over the weekend for Tennessee.

Colvin began the season at Class A Daytona after undergoing Tommy John surgery after last season. At Tennessee, he's batting .286 with 9 homers and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .800.

Colvin was named the Southern League's hitter of the week for July 27-Aug. 2.