All-star snub? DeRosa says no

ST. LOUIS - Nearly the first name off every player's lips about who should have made the all-star team but didn't was Mark DeRosa.

The versatile DeRosa finished second in the fan voting behind Philadelphia's Chase Utley at second base. DeRosa has played all over the diamond this year and has batted .292 with 11 homers, 49 RBI with an on-base percentage of .378.

"I appreciate that," DeRosa said. "Not at my position, I can't (make it). Chase Utley's probably one of the top five ballplayers in the game. Dan Uggla's having a monster season. Brandon Phillips is having a great year.

"I'd by lying if I said I didn't want to go. I want to go, especially in New York near where I grew up. To be able to close down Yankee Stadium, that would be unbelievable. I'm not disappointed in any way. I'm excited for the guys. We deserve to have seven guys go."

The rehab question: Left fielder Alfonso Soriano hopes to return to the lineup right after the all-star break, when the Cubs open a road trip in Houston.

In the meantime, he may have to do a minor-league rehab assignment, something he doesn't seen wild about.

Manager Lou Piniella sounds like he wants Soriano to head out on a rehab.

"I don't know what we're going to do with that, I really don't," said Piniella. "I think we can make a decision sometime Tuesday or Wednesday. I don't think he's ready for that right now. It might change over the next three or four days. I think right now he just keeps taking bating practice and gets some strength in his hand.

"I think it would be advantageous for him (to go on a rehab stint). Whether he does it or not, we'll see. It's been awhile. It hasn't been two weeks. It's probably going to be five weeks, so that's a long time."

Soriano reported weakness in his left hand after taking batting practice Saturday. He has been out since breaking a bone in his left hand June 11.

"It's a little weak," he said Sunday. "The swing, it doesn't feel like it's supposed to. I think it will take time, maybe a week, to feel good again. I'll be ready to play in the second half."

Fukudome's break: All-star right fielder Kosuke Fukudome did not start Sunday, but he did get into the game as a pinch hitter and stayed in afterward. Lou Piniella wanted to give Fukudome a break Sunday and tie it in with today's off-day and Tuesday's night game at home.

Fukudome was 8-for-39 on the road trip, and Piniella said a combination of the major-league schedule, the North American travel and pitchers making adjustments may have caught up to him.

"Me being confident is not important," Fukudome said. "I have to make the adjustments."

X-rays for Edmonds: Center fielder Jim Edmonds, who jammed his left thumb sliding in to home plate Saturday, will have the thumb X-rayed in Chicago. The Cubs sound optimistic Edmonds will be OK.

Eyre it out: Lefty reliever Scott Eyre threw a bullpen session Sunday and reported his left groin is fine. He has been on the disabled list since June 28. Since then, Neal Cotts has filled in fine from the left side out of the pen.