07-17-2009, 01:57 AM
Soto and Demp each could be back sooner than expected.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Soto, rehabbing in Mesa, Ariz., from a mild left oblique strain, has improved to the point where the Cubs aren't looking outside the organization for immediate help. Koyie Hill will be back behind the plate on Friday in the second game of the Cubs' four-game series against the Nationals, with Jake Fox as his backup.
"We're exploring other things," assistant general manager Randy Bush said, "but we're also encouraged that Geovany Soto -- we're hopeful -- he's feeling really good the last few days. We're hopeful he's turned the corner and this could be a short-term thing. We don't want to put any time frame on it. We're encouraged where he's at."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The good news is that Dempster could be back in the rotation quicker than expected. He threw off flat ground Thursday, and sounded extremely optimistic about his broken right big toe, a feeling shared by Piniella.
"I don't want to rush anything," Dempster said, "I'll just say everything feels really, really good."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"Talking to Larry [Rothschild, pitching coach], he seemed to think the second [turn in the rotation] after the break is not out of the question," manager Lou Piniella said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sources:
Soto, Dempster may be back before expected
Cubs, Piniella Upbeat About Chances
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Soto, rehabbing in Mesa, Ariz., from a mild left oblique strain, has improved to the point where the Cubs aren't looking outside the organization for immediate help. Koyie Hill will be back behind the plate on Friday in the second game of the Cubs' four-game series against the Nationals, with Jake Fox as his backup.
"We're exploring other things," assistant general manager Randy Bush said, "but we're also encouraged that Geovany Soto -- we're hopeful -- he's feeling really good the last few days. We're hopeful he's turned the corner and this could be a short-term thing. We don't want to put any time frame on it. We're encouraged where he's at."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The good news is that Dempster could be back in the rotation quicker than expected. He threw off flat ground Thursday, and sounded extremely optimistic about his broken right big toe, a feeling shared by Piniella.
"I don't want to rush anything," Dempster said, "I'll just say everything feels really, really good."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"Talking to Larry [Rothschild, pitching coach], he seemed to think the second [turn in the rotation] after the break is not out of the question," manager Lou Piniella said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sources:
Soto, Dempster may be back before expected
Cubs, Piniella Upbeat About Chances
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