Hendry: Waiver claims no big deal

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was surrounded by reporters Monday, asking about the non-trades of pitchers Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman, both of whom were claimed on waivers last week but not moved by Monday's deadline to do so.

"It was the biggest non-story," Hendry said. "We always run everyone through what we call trade waivers. Everybody in Major League Baseball usually runs their whole team through. We had 12 people claimed over the course of the month, and for whatever reason two names were made public.

"It's not something we ever discuss, possible trades or, 'were we close.' I can honestly tell you we never gave it any really substantial talk because we would certainly never, ever give up unless we're out of it. If we were 15 (games) back, obviously, you might have looked at things a little differently with certain people.

"For the 12 that were claimed, two were stories and the other 10 were the same results as those two."

Hendry added that it was too early to speculate on the Cubs possibly re-signing Harden, who is a free agent this winter. He cited not knowing what Harden would be looking for in a contract and the Cubs' ownership situation.

The Cubs are in the process of being sold by the Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family.

Call-ups coming: The Cubs will begin their September call-ups today, and when it's all said and done, they'll have about eight additions to the big-league roster.

Today, first baseman-outfielder Micah Hoffpauir, infielder Andres Blanco and reliever Justin Berg will come up from Class AAA Iowa. Pitcher David Patton will arrive Wednesday.

Depending on Iowa's playoff run, other players who figure to get the call over the next week or so are infielder Bobby Scales and pitchers Esmailin Caridad, Jeff Samardzija and Jeff Stevens.

Soriano better: Manager Lou Piniella said that left fielder Alfonso Soriano's left knee was feeling better and that if Soriano doesn't start tonight he'll be back in the lineup Wednesday. Soriano had a cortisone shot Sunday for inflammation in the knee.