Cubs, Simpson agree to terms

The Cubs can't put out an official announcement because of a pending physical exam, but sources say they've agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Hayden Simpson, their No. 1 draft pick.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Simpson pitched for Southern Arkansas University. He was 13-1 this year with a 1.81 ERA and 131 strikeouts.

Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken shocked many draft observers with the pick of Simpson, whom Baseball America ranked the 191st-best prospect.

Wilken likened Simpson physically to star pitchers Roy Oswalt and Tim Lincecum. On draft day, June 7, both Simpson and the Cubs expressed optimism the two sides could get a deal done soon. On Wednesday, the Cubs announced the signings of 11 draft picks, including their fourth-, eighth-, 10th- and 11th-rounders.

Cutting loose: Right fielder Xavier Nady, who is still on the mend from last year's Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, uncorked a throw from medium depth to the plate in the fifth inning of Thursday's 3-2 victory over Oakland. Nady didn't get the runner, but he said it felt good to let loose.

"It felt good, which was encouraging," he said. "That's a big step. From a mental standpoint, just kind of getting over the hump is encouraging. It's going to go through days. Yesterday, it didn't feel good. Today, it felt a lot better. I'll see how it bounces back tomorrow."

Playing in Peoria: Third baseman Aramis Ramirez will play in minor-league rehab games Saturday and Sunday for Class A Peoria. Ramirez has been on the disabled list since June 8 with a left thumb contusion. He went on the disabled list June 8.

This and that: Kosuke Fukudome picked up his third game-winning RBI ... Rookie reliever Andrew Cashner worked 11/3 scoreless innings, giving up a hit. He has yet to allow a run in 6 big-league outings over 71/3 innings.