Bradley's woes continue

The Cubs moved right fielder Milton Bradley up from the No. 5 spot to the second hole Sunday, but Bradley had a rough day.

He went 0-for-5 and struck out three times, including one in the sixth inning with runners on second and third with two outs.

Interestingly, manager Lou Piniella talked before the game of the Cubs needing an "RBI guy" in the fifth spot. Bradley was supposed to be that guy when the Cubs signed him last winter to a three-year, $30 million deal.

Overall, Bradley is batting. 260 with 12 homers and only 39 RBI to go along with an on-base percentage of. 380 and a slugging percentage of. 403. In the fifth spot, he's 22-for-100 (.220) with 3 homers, 9 RBI and an anemic OPS (on-base plus slugging) .678.

"That's the spot we need to solve more than anything else," Piniella said. "There's no question about it. That's the spot that needs to be filled here this winter more than anything else. It's been a problem for us.

"You look at our offense, and one really good RBI guy really makes a big difference."

Piniella didn't mention names, but it has become clear the Cubs have been disappointed in Bradley on several levels.

Surgery for Soriano: Left fielder Alfonso Soriano will have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his left knee. Team orthopedist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo will do the procedure.

Soriano will not play again this season, but by having the surgery this week he will be able to start his rehab with the Cubs' medical and training staff before going home to the Dominican Republic.

Paging Mr. Grabow: One player Lou Piniella would like to keep is lefty reliever John Grabow, whom the Cubs got in a July 30 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"He's really pitched well," Piniella said. "He's a very competitive young man. He enjoys taking the ball. He's done a really nice job since he's been here.

"We've used him basically here recently as our setup pitcher leading into the closer. He's equally successful against right-handers as left-handers. He's a pitcher, obviously, we'd like to have back here next year."

Grabow is making $2.3 million. He will be a free agent this fall, and a three-year deal worth about $12 million figures to be what Grabow will command.

Guzman ailing: Reliever Angel Guzman hasn't pitched since Sept. 8 because of a recurrence of the triceps problem that put him on the disabled list in late June.

Lou Piniella said Guzman may be able to return during this week's series against Milwaukee.

Minor matters: The Cubs' Class AA Tennessee club won its first-round series of the Southern League playoffs, beating Huntsville 3-1 Sunday to win the series three games to one.

Rising-star shortstop Starlin Castro went 3-for-4. Marcos Mateo got the win in relief. Park Ridge's Brian Schlitter picked up his third save of the series.

Tennessee is managed by Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.