--LF Alfonso Soriano returned to the club after having his broken left hand X-rayed Thursday in Chicago. The Cubs were pleased with the news, which showed good healing. Soriano played catch before the game and hit some balls that were "soft-tossed" to him. It's possible he could take full batting practice Saturday or Sunday. He has been out since June 11, and the Cubs are now expressing hope that he could beat the original six-week timetable to come back.

--RHP Jose Ascanio was optioned to Class AAA Iowa as RHP Carlos Zambrano came off the DL. The move was expected, but the Cubs like the power arm and potential of Ascanio.

--LHP Ted Lilly will start Saturday against the Cardinals with LHP Sean Marshall going Sunday. Originally, the Cubs thought about giving Lilly an extra day, but they say he threw well on the side.

--RHP Carlos Marmol is not tipping his pitches, the Cubs concluded, after they watched films of his deliveries this year. Marmol gave up three-run homers in back-to-back games this week in San Francisco. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said there is no tipping going on. The only problem, he said, is that Marmol is getting too many fastballs up in the zone.

--RHP Sean Gallagher will head to the bullpen now that RHP Carlos Zambrano is back. Gallagher has made 10 starts this year, and the Cubs still think his long-term future is as a starter.

BY THE NUMBERS
13 -- When C Geovany Soto hit his 13th home run of the season June 27, he became the first Cubs rookie with at least 13 since Rafael Palmeiro hit 14 in 1987. The last Cubs rookie catcher with at least 13 was Randy Hundley, who hit 19 in 1966.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I guess 'Z' is back. I'm ready to rock and roll and get back to doing my job." -- Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, on his final preparations for coming off the DL.

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