Hendry hopeful health will return

SAN FRANCISCO - Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is back in Chicago, but he'll rejoin the team Friday in St. Louis. While field manager Lou Piniella was acknowledging that the recent spate of injuries has caught up to his team, the GM remained hopeful the Cubs could do more than tread water until all of the key players are back.

"I don't know if 'treading water' is the right term," Hendry said by phone. "It's been a tough stretch, and guys are battling through it. Everybody has these."

Hendry sounded upbeat, knowing that outfielder Reed Johnson comes of the disabled list today, and Carlos Zambrano gets back Friday. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez returns today from the Dominican Republic, where he was tending to family matters.

Left fielder Alfonso Soriano is heading back to Chicago to get his broken left hand X-rayed again, and if he checks out OK, he could beat the six-week timetable the Cubs had for him when he got hurt June 11.

"He can have a monster second half," Hendry said. "If there's any positive to take from this is that he's been able to take it easy on his legs."

Hendry had high praise for center fielder Jim Edmonds, whom Hendry signed in May when the Padres let him go.

"He's fine," the GM said. "The combination of Jim and Reed will work out fine. I applaud Jime's effort. I don't' understand the criticism (Hendry took from some when he signed Edmonds). He's still Jim Edmonds and is capable of good things. He got off to a tough start, but now he's in an environment where the club is wining and he can contribute."

Hendry said he'll "keep plugging" when it comes to possible trades before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. He added that few teams have decided yet whether they'll be buyers or sellers at deadline time.

Hill update: Cubs people say struggling lefty Rich Hill will not be shut down, as Lou Piniella stated might happen Tuesday.

"We're going to keep him on the same path," Jim Hendry said.

Cubs people in Arizona who witnessed Hill's start Tuesday said he threw better than the numbers indicated. Hill lasted only one-third of an inning, giving up 1 hit and 5 runs (3 earned) while walking three and hitting a batter.

Observers said Hill's curveball may have fooled the Rookie League umpire. Cubs people say Hill remains upbeat mentally.

Hill went from the big leagues to Class AAA Iowa in early May after battling command issues since spring training.

Rotation plans: Lou Piniella said the Cubs will see how Ted Lilly throws before the weekend before determining whether he starts Saturday or Sunday. The Cubs will send Lilly and lefty Sean Marshall to the mound after Zambrano pitches Friday.