Piniella at a loss to explain Fukudome's swoon

CINCINNATI - Kosuke Fukudome took a seat again Saturday and was replaced by another left-handed hitter in right field.

Micah Hoffpauir started and batted sixth while the slumping Fukudome watched from the bench. Cubs manager Lou Piniella appeared as perplexed as anyone about Fukudome, who batted .193 (16-for-83) in August and entered Saturday 1-for-9 this month. His season OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages) of .745 ranked 63rd in the National League, which should be unacceptable for a corner outfielder.

Reporters requested an interview with Fukudome, but his translator said he wanted a "day off." Fukudome talks very little with Chicago reporters, so it was left to Piniella.

"I don't know; I don't have an explanation," Piniella said.

Piniella was asked if the entire experience of playing in the major leagues has been overwhelming for Fukudome, who is in the first year of a four-year, $48 million contract.

"He's a good player," Piniella said. "The first year? It's an adjustment of sorts. At the same time, from talking to a few people who have been here for a while, sometimes the first year with the Cubs is an adjustment period in itself. I think he's going to be fine."

Birthday bash: Saturday was first baseman Derrek Lee's 33rd birthday. Like Kosuke Fukudome, Lee has struggled, too. His best month was April, when he hit 8 homers, 9 doubles and 1 triple.

In August, 4 doubles and a homer were the extend of Lee's extra-base output. His season OPS entering Saturday was .824, putting him 35th in the NL.

"Personally, yeah, I don't think I'm having the season I would have liked going into spring training," he said. "Team-wise, we're doing really good. my goals are always team oriented, and that's really all that concerns me.

"It just hasn't happened so far. I just haven't gotten hot."

Lee went 4-for-6 with 2 doubles in Saturday's 14-9 victory.

Help for Gaudin: Reliever Chad Gaudin, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 29 because of lower-back soreness, will go to Chicago on Monday to see Dr. Michael Schafer. With Gaudin hurt and Sean Marshall starting today, the bullpen has been short-handed, even with September call-ups.

Rich Harden, who has been resting his shoulder, will start Wednesday or Thursday in St. Louis, a decision that will be based on matching up with Milwaukee the following week and re-slotting Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs said. Harden threw Saturday and felt fine, according to Lou Piniella, who added Harden will throw a bullpen session today.