When Soriano returns, he will leadoff.

Thanks to Paul Sullivan for this-

DENVER - Alfonso Soriano's expected return to the active roster May 1 against Milwaukee is likely to bring back the old question of where he should bat in the lineup.


Reed Johnson's success in the leadoff spot, in addition to the team's .336 average and .429 on-base percentage over its last nine games entering Wednesday, could give manager Lou Piniella a handy excuse to move Soriano down to the fifth or sixth spot when he returns.

But when asked if he planned to insert Soriano back into the leadoff spot next week, Piniella paused for a few seconds before giving his response."Yeah, we'll put him back in left field and lead him off," he said. "We want to make sure he can do all the things a leadoff hitter needs to do. We don't really want to take any chances here early in the year of bringing him back too soon, and all of a sudden we have another problem on our hands.


"He's going to go through a full agenda of outfield play and running the bases and hitting and those sort of things to ensure that we can keep him as healthy as possible."

Soriano, who suffered a right calf strain on April 15, took batting practice Wednesday at Coors Field and said he's at 80-90 percent of full strength. He said he expects to bat first when he returns but will do whatever Piniella tells him to do.


Watching his teammates play so well without him has not been difficult for Soriano, unlike his stint on the disabled list last August.

"I'm OK because I know I can't play," he said. "I'm happy they're doing such a good job when I'm out. If they played badly, I'd try to get back quicker to help the team win. But if they don't need me right now, I don't have to come back so quickly."

I do not think Soriano should lead off, especially how great Johnson is doing in the leadoff spot. Soriano has leg problems, strikes out a a lot, and does not get on base. The thing Soriano does have for him is his power. Sounds like a 5 or 6 hole hitter to me.

I can see Lou giving him a shot in leadoff and if it does not work then Lou would have a reason to move him. Rather than him losing his job to injury, have him lose it himself that way Lou can say he at least tried. That could be Lou's plan in my opinion.

Here is my ideal lineup-
Johnson CF
Theriot SS
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Derosa 2b
Soto C

or

Johnson CF
Fukudome RF
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Soriano LF
Derosa 2b
Soto C
Theriot SS

Either one of these would work for me but I like the first lineup more than the 2nd. When Soriano is activated we will likely see this lineup trotted out there by sweet lou.

Soriano RF
Johnson CF
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Fukudome RF
Derosa 2b
Soto C
Theriot SS

Lofton an Option?? Other Cubs Notes.

Thanks to MLBTR-

Heyman and Buster Olney both believe the Cubs should sign free agent Kenny Lofton to help fill in for Alfonso Soriano. However, Olney noted that the Cubs don't seem interested.

I would not mind this move but the Cubs are currently doing well wtih Soriano gone and the chemistry seems good. They just put together a 7-1 homestand without him. Soriano had been struggling before he got injured so it is like we have been playing without him anyways. The only way I consider signing Lofton is if Pie does not start to come around. Lofton would be used as a left fielder because how well Reed Johnson is doing in center and once Soriano comes back, Lofton would be moved to the bench. Right now it does not make sense of the Cubs considering that Pie is actually starting to heat up and improving his swing.


Here is something interesting-

Did the Cubs have a shot at getting Johan Santana a few months ago instead of rival National League contender New York? The two-time Cy Young Award winner said he would've considered waiving his no-trade clause for the Cubs, but the Twins never told him the Cubs called. Cubs officials won't comment publicly about Santana, but privately they said they called the Twins when general manager Bill Smith put Santana on the block last winter and were told Santana wouldn't waive his no-trade clause for any team that didn't train in Florida or play on the East Coast.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/47618

WOW! The Twins really screwed the Cubs on this one. It would have been nice for the Cubs to at least have a shot at getting him. Could you imagine Santana and Z in the same rotation??? Tough! It is really too bad but oh well the Cubs are doing just fine without him.

-CHICAGO -- Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, sidelined with a strained right calf, is able to ride a stationary bicycle now and said he hoped to begin running more strenuously this week when the team goes on the road.

Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 16, and is expected to be activated when his time is up May 1, for the Cubs' game against Milwaukee.

"There's no more pain," said Soriano, who doesn't have to wear the large boot that he had for the first few days he was on the DL. "It's still a little sore, but no more pain."

He has been able to hit off a batting tee in the Cubs clubhouse and expected to hit in the batting cage in Colorado, where the team plays a two-game series against the Rockies, beginning Wednesday.

That is good news for Soriano and the Cubs. My only concern is having Lou put him in the leadoff spot with the team rolling like it is. I think they should put him in the 5 or 6 hole and leave Johnson in leadoff. Here is my two lineups with Soriano.

Johnson CF
Theriot SS
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Derosa 2b
Soto C

Johnson CF
Fukudome RF
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Soriano LF
Derosa 2b
Soto C

Fukudome, day to day.

Fukudome will be out of the lineup today with an eye irritation. He is listed day to day. Murton will be in LF today with Derosa in RF. Fukudome may be used to pinch hit in an emergency and will likely be in the starting lineup Monday or Tuesday. It is more of a precautionary thing according to the Cubs staff.