| | Cubs activate OF Soriano from DL (AP) |
The Chicago Cubs activated All-Star outfielder Alfonso Soriano before their game against Arizona on Wednesday night, batting him leadoff in the final game of the series. Soriano has been out since being hit on the hand, fracturing a finger, June 11 against Atlanta. He was hitting .283 with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs before he got hurt.
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| | Cubs activate OF Soriano, LHP Eyre (PA SportsTicker) |
The Chicago Cubs suddenly are in need of a spark, and they hope Alfonso Soriano can provide one on Wednesday night.
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| | NL Capsules (AP) |
Adam Dunn hit Cincinnati's first grand slam of the season, and the Reds kept Greg Maddux in the longest winless streak of his sterling career by beating the San Diego Padres 9-5 on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Maddux hasn't won since May 10, going 14 starts without a victory. He was thwarted again on Wednesday with an assist by the Padres' defense and bullpen.
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| | Cubs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports) |
| If all goes well, the Cubs should be able to welcome Alfonso Soriano back to the active roster for Wednesday's series finale at Arizona.
Soriano played for Class AAA Iowa on Tuesday, going 1-for-3. If his left hand responds, the Cubs likely will put him on the roster and into the leadoff spot Wednesday.
As manager Lou Piniella sees it, Soriano's absence has been felt in several ways. And his return should help in an equal amount of ways.
"First of all, it gets us deeper on the bench," Piniella said. "I can't remember the last time we double-switched." Piniella also pointed out that Soriano has been out a total of eight weeks this year, including the two weeks he spent on the disabled list in April with a calf injury. "Sooner or later, it starts...
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| | Braves one-hit; Cubs punchless too (AP) |
The Atlanta Braves found a new way to struggle. The Chicago Cubs just kept on flailing the same old way. A night after a near-flawless performance on the heels of a four-error debacle, the Braves were one-hit by a recent callup and the Florida Marlins' bullpen in a 1-0 loss Tuesday night, while Chicago failed to score more than two runs for the fifth time in six games since the All-Star break,...
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| | Petit shuts down Cubs in 9-2 Diamondbacks' rout (AP) |
Yusmeiro Petit didn't find out until Monday that he'd be Arizona's starting pitcher on Tuesday night. The short notice didn't diminish his effectiveness in five innings against sputtering Chicago, and the Diamondbacks made it two in a row over the Cubs with a 9-2 romp. Conor Jackson drove in three runs with a solo homer and two-run double.
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| | MLB fines Cubs $500,000 (PA SportsTicker) |
Major League Baseball has fined the Chicago Cubs $500,000 for violations related to the 2008 draft, according to a report by SI.com on Tuesday.
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| | Despite smuggling conviction, agent has no regrets (AP) |
Gus Dominguez negotiated the contract for the first Cuban player to defect to the United States. He opened his home to prospects fresh from the communist island and taught them about bank accounts. Now he's locked up in a federal prison, serving a five-year sentence as the first sports agent convicted of illegally smuggling a Cuban player into the United States.
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| | Harden again hurt by bad luck (PA SportsTicker) |
In his first two starts since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics, Rich Harden has given the Chicago Cubs everything they possibly could have wanted, yet he has nothing to show for it.
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| | Wood stays off DL, could pitch later this week (Yahoo! Sports) |
The Chicago Cubs hold out hope that closer Kerry Wood's finger irritation can be treated well enough in the next...
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| | Arizona's Johnson beats Cubs again, 2-0 (AP) |
The Chicago Cubs just can't beat Randy Johnson. Johnson improved to 13-0 in 14 career starts against the Cubs on Monday night, outdueling Rich Harden in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2-0 victory. "There's no rhyme or reason to it," Johnson said of his domination of Chicago. Johnson (7-7), winning his third straight after six consecutive losses, allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one in seven...
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| | Cubs RHP Wood likely headed to DL (PA SportsTicker) |
A blister problem likely will send Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood to the disabled list for the 12th time in his career.
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| | No pretenders in this group (Yahoo! Sports) |
Seventeen teams can still be labeled playoff contenders, and the Cubs, Angels and Red Sox are the surest bets.
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| | Dempster shuts down Astros in Cubs' 9-0 win (AP) |
Ryan Dempster finally won on the road for the Chicago Cubs. Dempster struck out seven in eight shutout innings to earn his first road victory in two years and the Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. Mike Fontenot hit a solo homer and a two-run double and Derrek Lee had three RBIs to help Chicago shake out a mini-offensive slump that bridged the...
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| | Rodriguez shuts down Cubs bats in Astros 4-1 win (AP) |
Lou Piniella is beginning to worry about the Cubs' sputtering offense. Wandy Rodriguez struck out seven, and the Houston Astros again stifled Chicago's bats in a 4-1 victory on Saturday night. Rodriguez (5-3) allowed nine hits, including a solo homer by Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, but Chicago stranded seven runners and dropped its third straight game.
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| | Offers for Cubs, Wrigley Field rolling in (Yahoo! Sports) |
Ten investment groups offered to buy the Chicago Cubs , and more than 20 made proposals to purchase just Wrigley...
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| | Pence lifts Astros to 2-1 win over Cubs (AP) |
Hunter Pence spent most of the All-Star break facing a pitching machine in the batting cage at Minute Maid Park. The extra work produced instant results. Pence drove in the game-winning run with a double off Bob Howry in bottom of the ninth inning and gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.
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| | Cubs place Lieber on DL, recall Hoffpauir (AP) |
The Chicago Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 15-day disabled list because of a right foot strain on Friday and recalled infielder Micah Hoffpauir from Triple-A Iowa. The 38-year-old Lieber is 2-3 with a 3.43 ERA this season. He last pitched on July 10 against Cincinnati, allowing two runs and three hits in two innings of work.
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| | Cubs place RHP Lieber on DL (PA SportsTicker) |
HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs on Friday placed righthander Jon Lieber on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, with a right foot sprain.
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| | The best players choose the best player (Yahoo! Sports) |
All-Stars were asked to pick the top player in the game. Alex Rodriguez and Josh Hamilton were the top vote-getters.
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| | Pertinent post-All-Star break issues (Yahoo! Sports) |
Questions for each team come to mind two at a time as the season enters its second half.
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| | Rays, Cubs have big hopes for second half (AP) |
Raise your hand if you had this in your preseason picks. Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays are sandwiched between the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees and leading the wild-card race in -- gasp! -- mid-July. The Chicago White Sox are on top in the AL Central, with the big-budget Detroit Tigers in third and Cleveland languishing in last.
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| | Boy injured by foul ball at Wrigley heads home (AP) |
A 7-year-old boy whose skull was fractured by a foul ball at Wrigley Field is doing well and has been released from the hospital. Dominic DiAngi of Frankfort headed home from Children's Memorial Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. He wore a Cubs ball cap as he met with news reporters. His father, Peter DiAngi, says his son now has his "same old twinkle in his eye." Last Thursday, Dominic was sitting...
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| | Rays help AL win All-Star game (AP) |
Already in the middle of a special season, the Tampa Bay Rays left their mark on the All-Star game. Sure, the Rays didn't have seven representatives as did the Boston Red Sox. Nor did their players garner nearly as much attention as some of the more established stars at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. But when it counted on the field, Tampa Bay's three rising stars contributed mightily to the American...
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| | Dempster, Cubs believe in 2008 (PA SportsTicker) |
BRONX, New York (Ticker) - Five months ago, the Chicago Cubs began spring training and right away Ryan Dempster expressed confidence.
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| | The Highest-Paid Non-All-Stars (Yahoo! Sports) |
Few of baseball's eight-figure earners make it to the Midsummer Classic.
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| | Ohman would like to finish the season in Atlanta (Yahoo! Sports) |
He was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Braves in December, and Will Ohman says the change of scenery did him...
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| | Cohesive clubhouse has led Cubs to the top of standings (Yahoo! Sports) |
In general manager Jim Hendry's mind, the primary reason for the Chicago Cubs ' 57-38 record at the All-Star...
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| | A place for long-suffering Cub fans to rest in peace (Yahoo! Sports) |
If you build it . . . A final resting place for the ashes of long-suffering Chicago Cubs fans is being proposed by...
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| | Lincecum pitches Giants past Cubs (AP) |
Tim Lincecum was the first pitcher to upstage Ryan Dempster at Wrigley Field this season. Lincecum tossed eight strong innings in a matchup of All-Star pitchers, handing Dempster his first home loss and leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Dempster (10-4), one of eight Cubs selected for Tuesday's game at Yankee Stadium, entered with a 10-0 record in 11...
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| | Braves one-hit; Cubs punchless too |
The Atlanta Braves found a new way to struggle. The Chicago Cubs just kept on flailing the same old way.
A night after a near-flawless performance on the heels ...
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 22
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3482 520 968 201 13 111 ...
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| | Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview |
Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview
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| | Jackson's bat helps D-backs pour it on cold Cubs |
Conor Jackson had three hits and three RBIs and the D-backs routed the Cubs on Tuesday.
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| | Diamondbacks acquire reliever Rauch from Nationals |
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move to shore up their ailing bullpen on Tuesday, acquiring reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for ...
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| | D-backs get relief: Acquire Rauch from Nationals |
The Diamondbacks acquired pitcher Jon Rauch from the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio on Tuesday.
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| | Wood gets new treatment on blister, may avoid DL |
Cubs closer Kerry Wood, who appeared headed for the disabled list with a troublesome blister on his right index finger, might avoid the DL after all.
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| | Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview |
Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 21
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3449 518 961 199 12 110 ...
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| | Sanchez sparks struggling Bucs' late rally vs. Astros |
Freddy Sanchez hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer to cap a seven-run ninth inning, and the Pirates snapped a five-game skid with a 9-3 win over the Astros.
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| | Big Unit, Diamondbacks outduel Harden, Cubs |
Randy Johnson outdueled Rich Harden as the D-backs beat the Cubs on Monday.
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| | Holtzman, HOF writer, inventor of save, dies at 81 |
Sportswriting legend Jerome Holtzman, who invented the save, died on Saturday at 81.
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| | Sources: MLB fines Cubs for June draft violations |
Sources told ESPN.com on Monday that the Cubs have been fined for violations during the draft.
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| | Blister still plagues Cubs' Wood; DL appears likely |
The finger blister that forced Cubs closer Kerry Wood to miss the All-Star Game may also land the right-hander on the disabled list.
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| | Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview |
Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 20
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3422 518 959 199 12 110 ...
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| | Brewers-Cardinals Preview |
Brewers-Cardinals Preview
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| | Parra, Braun power Brewers to sweep of Giants |
Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five runs and the Brewers completed a season sweep of the Giants with a 7-4 victory Sunday.
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| | Dempster gets 1st road win in 2 years as Cubs roll |
Ryan Dempster struck out seven in eight shutout innings to earn his first road win in two years and the Chicago Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
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| | Cubs' Soriano to start rehab assignment Monday |
Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with Chicago's rookie league team in Arizona and is expected to come off the disabled list on Thursday.
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| | Baseball Today |
SCOREBOARD
Monday, July 21 Chicago Cubs at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EDT). Rich Harden (5-1) makes his second start for the Cubs when the NL Central leaders take on Randy ...
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 19
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3383 509 946 194 12 109 ...
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| | Cubs-Astros Preview |
Cubs-Astros Preview
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| | Astros contain Cubs' offense to win fourth straight |
Wandy Rodriguez struck out seven and the Houston Astros again stifled the Chicago Cubs' offense in 4-1 victory on Saturday night.
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| | Padres-Cardinals Preview |
Padres-Cardinals Preview
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| | Brewers-Giants Preview |
Brewers-Giants Preview
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| | Bids are in: Who will end up buying Cubs, Wrigley? |
Tribune Co. -- which has not publicly set a timetable for the sale -- closed the preliminary round of bidding for the baseball team, stadium and the Cubs' 25 percent stake in a regional sports cable channel on Friday.
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 18
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3348 508 937 193 12 108 ...
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| | Cubs-Astros Preview |
Cubs-Astros Preview
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| | Pence's ninth-inning double lifts Astros past Cubs |
Hunter Pence drove in the game-winning run with a double off Bob Howry in bottom of the ninth inning and gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.
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| | Cubs place Lieber (foot) on DL, recall Hoffpauir |
The Chicago Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 15-day disabled list because of a right foot strain on Friday and recalled infielder Micah Hoffpauir from Triple-A Iowa.
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| | Cubs place Lieber on DL, recall Hoffpauir |
HOUSTON -- The Chicago Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 15-day disabled list because of a right foot strain on Friday and recalled infielder Micah Hoffpauir from Triple-A ...
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| | The latest in sports |
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 17
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3317 507 933 191 12 107 ...
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| | Cubs-Astros Preview |
Cubs-Astros Preview
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| | Brewers-Giants Preview |
Brewers-Giants Preview
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| | Padres-Cardinals Preview |
Padres-Cardinals Preview
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| | Athletics-Yankees Preview |
Athletics-Yankees Preview
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| | Red Sox-Angels Preview |
Red Sox-Angels Preview
|
| | A's trade Blanton to Phillies |
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics traded away their second starting pitcher this month, dealing burly right-hander Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies ...
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 16
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3317 507 933 191 12 107 ...
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| | Rays, Cubs have big hopes for second half |
NEW YORK -- Raise your hand if you had this in your preseason picks. Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays are sandwiched between the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox ...
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| | Boy injured at Wrigley expected to head home |
CHICAGO -- A 7-year-old boy whose skull was fractured by a foul ball at Wrigley Field is doing well and has been released from the hospital.
Dominic DiAngi of Frankfort ...
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| | Red Wings-Blackhawks at Wrigley |
CHICAGO -- Frosty baseball games have long been a fixture at Wrigley Field, where a stiff wind off Lake Michigan can chill fans, players and managers alike.
Now ...
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| | Frozen ivy? Blackhawks-Wings to tangle at Wrigley |
Wrigley Field is going to be the frozen confines on New Year's Day 2009 when the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings meet the Chicago Blackhawks outdoors in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.
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| | Boy injured at Wrigley doing well, leaves hospital |
A 7-year-old boy whose skull was fractured by a foul ball at Wrigley Field is recovering well and went home on Wednesday.
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| | MAJOR LEAGUE AVERAGES |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Through July 15
CLUB BATTING
TEAM AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BA Chicago Cubs 3317 507 933 191 12 107 ...
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| | Home Run Derby Winners |
2008 -- Justin Morneau , Minnesota Twins (Yankee Stadium)
2007 -- Vladimir Guerrero , Los Angeles Angels (AT&T Park)
2006 -- Ryan Howard , Philadelphia Phillies ...
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| | Cubs activate Soriano from DL |
The Chicago Cubs activated All-Star outfielder Alfonso Soriano before their game against Arizona on Wednesday night, batting him leadoff in the final game of the series.
Soriano has been out since being hit on the hand, fracturing a finger, June 11 against Atlanta. He was hitting .283 with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs before he got hurt.
Soriano played Monday with the Cubs' rookie league team in suburban Peoria, Ariz.
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| | Notorious Cubs fan Bartman could get big pay day |
Steve Bartman may have made Cubs fans see red, but he could be seeing some green next week.
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| | Closer hot seat: Jenks returns for Sox |
As July reaches its wane, and the trade deadline looms, major league teams scramble to tweak and tune their rosters in preparation for the season's stretch run.
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| | Chicago Cubs Roster Report |
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Kerry Wood (blister) skipped the All-Star Game, and he has not pitched since. He may be placed on the disabled list.
RHP Jon Lieber (strained right foot) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 11. He began a minor league rehab assignment July 22.
LHP Scott Eyre (strained left groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 27. He began a minor league rehab assignment with July 10, and he might be activated during the week of July 21-27.
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| | Chicago Cubs Inside Pitch |
If all goes well, the Cubs should be able to welcome Alfonso Soriano back to the active roster for Wednesday's series finale at Arizona.
Soriano played for Class AAA Iowa on Tuesday, going 1-for-3. If his left hand responds, the Cubs likely will put him on the roster and into the leadoff spot Wednesday.
As manager Lou Piniella sees it, Soriano's absence has been felt in several ways. And his return should help in an equal amount of ways.
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| | Chicago Cubs Notes, Quotes |
--Manager Lou Piniella called off batting practice for the final two games of the series in Arizona after Monday's 2-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. In the first four games of the trip, the Cubs have been shut out once and have scored one run each in two other games. "I'm tired of seeing balls flying all over batting practice, and when the damn game stats, I see very little or nothing," Piniella fumed Monday. He noted Tuesday that it did not feel odd not having BP.
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| | Draftgate? Cubs Reportedly Hit with Big Fine |
The Chicago Cubs are used to forking out top dollar when it comes to the annual major league draft, just not like this. The club is reportedly being ordered to pay big bucks for violating major league rules pertaining to the draft.
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| | Cubs-Diamondbacks Preview |
The Chicago Cubs are looking for anything - or anyone - to help them break out of their current offensive slump. That may come sooner than expected.
All-Star Alfonso Soriano could be activated from the disabled list as early as Wednesday night when the Cubs try to avoid being swept on the road by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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| | Pie Getting His Swagger Back |
Class AAA Iowa outfielder Felix Pie has dealt with a poor start and subsequent demotion to the minor leagues, plus a swing alteration and a hand injury this season.
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