Soriano plays, produces with three-run homer in sixth inning

From the Get Healthy, Stay Healthy department, left fielder Alfonso Soriano and his previously dislocated pinkie finger were back in the lineup Saturday.

"He took batting practice today; he's ready," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said on his pregame radio show. "Let's see if we can get the guy hot."

Piniella got his wish in the sixth inning when Soriano belted a 3-run homer to give the Cubs the lead. It was Soriano's first homer since June 7.

Meanwhile pitcher Ted Lilly (knee), who originally was scheduled to start Saturday, will take the mound Monday in Philadelphia for the series opener with the Phillies.

"If he had to pitch (Saturday) he probably could have," Piniella said. "I think on Monday he'll be just fine."

Randy Wells replaced Lilly on Saturday, and Kevin Hart will be called up from the minors to start today's game.

Sign of the times: The Cubs signed infielder DJ LeMahieu, their second-round selection (79th overall) from this year's draft.

LeMahieu, 21, batted .350 (96-for-274) with 57 runs, 13 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs, 43 RBI and a .419 on-base percentage in his sophomore year for College World Series champion LSU this season.

LeMahieu will join Rookie-League Mesa's roster.

Nice touch: Ryan Theriot, Koyie Hill and Reed Johnson were among a handful of Cubs players who visited with wounded war veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before Saturday's game.