Chicago Cubs bullpen continues to be mix and match

The Cubs' bullpen got a bit of a break during the two-game series this week in Detroit. Edwin Jackson worked 3⅔ innings Tuesday, and the Cubs enjoyed a blowout victory Wednesday.

Reinforcement is on the way for the beleaguered pen, but maybe not right away. The Cubs this week signed veteran closer Rafael Soriano to a minor-league contract. Manager Joe Maddon said Soriano is throwing in the Dominican Republic and that he needs to get some paperwork finalized before coming to the U.S.

He's likely to pitch for Class AAA Iowa before he could join the Cubs.

"You would like to think at least post-all-star break is probably a reasonable time frame," Maddon said. "To do it before the all-star break would be kind of difficult. We'll just be patient and see where it's at when he shows up."

Maddon juggled the back end of his bullpen on the recent trip, pulling closer Hector Rondon in the ninth inning at Washington after he walked the first batter of the ninth inning. Pedro Strop got a save in that game, and Jason Motte earned a save in the next game.

"You're still going to see them get out there based on what's happening in the game," Maddon said. "And it could be (Rondon) tonight in the ninth, absolutely. Look at the lineups. Look at the matchups and then play it thusly. They're all pretty well rested right now, which is kind of nice."

Rondon indeed closed Thursday and earned his 11th save in the Cubs' 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

So when is game time?

The Cubs and Reds opened a four-game series Thursday night. The game times are all over the place. The teams will play at 3:05 p.m. Friday, 6:15 p.m. Saturday and 7:08 p.m. Sunday.

Joe Maddon would like a more stable routine, but he knows there's not much he can do about it.

"We've talked about a more homogenized schedule regarding starting times," he said. "Every player would tell you the same thing. They would prefer showing up at the same time every day and get into that routine. It matters. It definitely matters.

"However, that's what it is. So we have to make our adjustments, and we have to do well by it. But it's much more comfortable with days set."

Back to the NL:

After two games in Detroit using the DH, the Cubs are back to National League rules before they head to Cleveland and Minnesota next week.

"It's actually strange," Joe Maddon said. "You start the game and, 'Now my pitcher can go as long as you want him to go without any interference here.' It is different.

"Now that you get to do this more often on this side, that really stands out - the less of a need to pinch hit, the greater the ability to let a guy longer if you chose to, not worrying about manipulating a batting order. It's two different games, there's no question."