Soriano optimistic he'll be back soon

Both the Cubs and left fielder Alfonso Soriano seemed optimistic Tuesday that Soriano's stint on the disabled list would last no longer than 15 days.

Soriano went on the DL Tuesday with a strained left quadriceps. The Cubs recalled outfielder Tyler Colvin from Class AAA Iowa to take Soriano's spot.

It didn't look good Monday, when Soriano hobbled off the field after running out a groundball.

“Thank God it's nothing big,” Soriano said. “I'm hoping I come back in two weeks … I feel much better than yesterday. I put a lot of ice on it. It didn't pop. It felt kind of like electricity. It's not bad.”

The Cubs have outfielders Colvin, Brad Snyder and Lou Montanez on the roster, but manager Mike Quade went with infielder Blake DeWitt in left field Tuesday night.

DeWitt had an outfield assist Monday and misplayed a ball when he slipped and fell.

“Colvin will be involved, for sure,” said Quade. “I thought Blake had a really good game. He was over-hustling, if that's possible, on his (misplay).

“He's so enthusiastic out there. He's still got some things to learn out there. He swung the bat well. He made a great throw home. Colvin will play tomorrow. I just don't know where.”

All about timing:Tyler Colvin had a hitting line of .260/.283/.500 with 1 homer, 8 RBI, 2 walks and 11 strikeouts at Iowa since his May 17 demotion. With the Cubs earlier this year, Colvin hit just .113 and found himself buried on the bench.#8220;Just go down there, work on your timing and get it back and play every day,#8221; he said. #8220;That's what I went down there to do, and I did that. I felt pretty comfortable.#8221;Welcome back, Marlon:Center fielder Marlon Byrd rejoined the Cubs on Tuesday and was on the field during batting practice, even though he cannot yet participate.Byrd was hit in the face with a pitched ball in Boston on May 21 and suffered multiple facial fractures. There's no timetable for his return, but the swelling looked to be down considerably.Plans for Garza:Pitcher Matt Garza will throw off the mound Wednesday as he prepares to come off the DL. Garza has a bruised right elbow.Mike Quade said Garza will take Thursday off and throw another side session over the weekend in St. Louis. If all goes well, he'll return to the rotation next week in Cincinnati.The Cubs will have some roster decisions to make when that happens, but Quade said he is not in favor of going with a six-man rotation as the White Sox have done.