Cubs catcher Contreras could make first start soon

Now that catcher Willson Contreras is with the Cubs and has seen a little game action, the next question for manager Joe Maddon is when Contreras will start a game.

The answer is that the rookie could start Sunday night against the Pirates or Monday night against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

David Ross started Saturday night against the Pirates because lefty Jon Lester was on the mound for the Cubs. Kyle Hendricks will start Sunday night, and veteran John Lackey will face the Cardinals Monday.

"You could really banter that one about internally," Maddon said. "I don't know. Kyle's an edge (of the plate) guy, so you want a catcher that's going to grab the edges for him really well. So that's where I'm hung up right now. Lackey's pitching the next day. Johnny knows what he's doing out there pretty much.

"Honestly, I have not decided yet. We'll see how this plays out tonight. Part of it was when we put Willson in yesterday, he was so comfortable. That was good to see. I expected that. I anticipated that. But he was even more comfortable than I thought he would be. So I don't know. You'll see him over the next two days, one of the next two days. I haven't decided on (Sunday) yet."

Contreras caught the ninth inning of Friday's 6-0 victory over the Pirates. He was scheduled to pinch hit in the eighth, but Miguel Montero lined into an inning-ending double play.

The Cubs called Contreras up from Class AAA Iowa Friday, and Maddon said he handled the whole day well.

"There's no nerves," the manager said. "He was comfortable. He sat on the bench with (coach) Mike Borzello, and they just talked hitters all (day) long. He was warming up pitchers in between innings. I talked to him before the game. The way he blocked the ball, the way he came out of the chute, I love that because he did that just instinctively. It wasn't to put on a show. It was just, 'That's what I do.' It was great, and the guys on the bench loved it.

"You love to see that kind of energy. It's contagious. It's refreshing. It's all those things, not that we don't do that. We do. I'm just talking about a young guy who didn't try to alter what he does because he's here. He was just being Willson. He handled his first day really well."

Feeling better:

Outfielder Jorge Soler tested his injured left hamstring during Saturday-afternoon drills. Soler has been on the disabled list since June 7 with a strained hamstring.

"He's smiling a lot," Joe Maddon said. "So that really is always a good sign. The trainers haven't come to me with any kind of goal line in mind or, 'When is he going to go out and play?' But I know he's progressing well."

Belting it out:

Joe Maddon got into the singing act Friday night at the Foundation to be Named Later benefit concert, spearheaded by Cubs president Theo Epstein.

"It was very fun," Maddon said. "Actually, I was screaming. I don't know if I was actually singing. I can't qualify it as that.

"Great event. Great energy among the people. A lot of money was raised. Theo obviously puts it all together. It was outstanding. It's the second year I've been able to participate. I had a lot of fun."

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder took part as did Liz Phair and Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons.

Proceeds benefited Cubs Charities and the Foundation to be Named Later, with the mission of helping underserved youth in Chicago.