Alfonso Soriano not only returns home with the Cubs today, but back to his big-league roots.
For the first time since he left Japan after breaking in briefly with Hiroshima of Japan's Central League in 1997, Soriano will be reunited on the same field with former minor-league teammate, Hiroki Kuroda -- signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent last winter and scheduled to start against the Cubs on Tuesday.
"I know him very well. We became good friends,"
Soriano said.
But more than Kuroda, Soriano said he's looking forward to seeing his first major-league manager -- Joe Torre, the first-year Dodgers skipper -- for the first time since signing with the Cubs.
Soriano credits Torre, the man who turned him into a leadoff hitter, with helping make him the six-time all-star who commanded a $136 million contract.
"That's why I'm very excited to play against the Dodgers, because I want to see him,"
Soriano said. "He's a great manager, and he treated me very well. He let me play my game."
Samardzija in AA pen -- Pitching prospect Jeff Samardzija, the former Notre Dame football star, has been moved to the bullpen for one turn through the rotation at Class AA Tennessee, in part to give him a mental breather. He gave up two hits and recorded one out in a 3-2 win for the Smokies on Saturday.
Samardzija (3-4, 6.14 ERA as a starter), the $10 million draft pick from 2006, was thought to have a chance to make his major-league debut late this season. He has struggled since pitching well in his first three starts, especially in his past three.
Wood shop -- Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild talked about closer Kerry Wood's tendency to hit the first batter of the ninth inning, something he has done three times this season, with the runner eventually scoring each time.
"It's tough enough doing the closer's job without putting yourself in trouble,"
Piniella said. "We've got to figure out how we can help him not do that."
