Harden just fine with Cubs' caution

Rich Harden said Monday he'd rather be pitching but that he agrees with the Cubs' decision to rest him until next Tuesday's series opener in St. Louis.

The Cubs say they're playing it cautiously with Harden's right shoulder, which put him on the disabled list earlier this year when he was with Oakland.

"Yeah, let's make sure I'm feeling good and fresh for the stretch here, the last few games," said Harden, who is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA as a Cub since coming over from the A's in July. "I've been feeling pretty good. I haven't felt too much strain or anything from throwing the ball.

"With a couple of days off, I definitely feel stronger. It can make a difference, especially late in the season when you get a little tired. I really want to be out there, but I agree with it."

Erstwhile staff ace Carlos Zambrano was skipped from Sunday's start because of a "dead arm." Zambrano, who "took a pass" from talking to reporters, will pitch tonight against the Astros.

Happy camper: Infielder Casey McGehee said he was "really pumped" about being promoted from Class AAA Iowa as part of the Cubs' September call-ups. It's McGehee's first taste of the major leagues.

"I had no idea until they told me," McGehee said. "I thought they were calling me in to let me know I was going to catch a couple of days before the (Class AAA) playoffs started. I had no idea."

McGehee, who turns 26 next month, was a 10th-round draft choice in 2003. He has been a fixture in spring training the past few years.

"It makes everything worthwhile, just getting a chance, hopefully, to be able to do something to help the team win a game or two," he said.

More call-ups: The Cubs activated pitchers Jon Lieber and Angel Guzman off the disabled list Monday. Lieber was out since July, but his strained right foot has been fine for weeks. The Cubs had no room for him in their bullpen, so they kept him on the DL.

Guzman, a once-hot prospect who endured shoulder problems several years ago, is back after rehabbing from elbow surgery.

"You put good effort in your rehab and you work hard, you get good results," Guzman said. "So far I've been feeling good. I have been consistent in every outing."

The Cubs also recalled hot-hitting first-baseman Micah Hoffpauir, catcher Koyie Hill and reliever Michael Wuertz, who began the season with the Cubs.

"More than anything, it was a shock," Wuertz said of getting sent down July 11. "It's happened before, and it's happened to a lot of people. The way I looked at it is everything happens for a reason. I went down there with a positive attitude. There was no sense to sit and pout and whine or anything."

Wuertz pitched 1 hitless innings Monday. With Chad Gaudin's back still day to day, Wuertz figures to see a good amount of action. The other call-ups likely will play sparingly.

"Hopefully, a couple of them will get hot and help us if we need it," manager Lou Piniella said. "We're in a little different situation here. We're going to play our regular players, and if needed, we can go to some of the kids that have been here. This is not the time to start experimenting too much."