Rick Sutcliffe is at least one more minor-league start away from returning to the Cub rotation.
Sutcliffe will start Monday night in Des Moines for the Cubs` Triple-A Iowa affiliate.
”They want me to throw there and see how (his shoulder) bounces back,”
Sutcliffe said. ”Obviously, I need to be a little bit sharper.”
Sutcliffe allowed six runs on 12 hits and two walks in a rehabilitation start Wednesday night for Class-A Peoria. Sutcliffe threw 120 pitches. ”It feels normal,” he said Thursday afternoon. ”The key now is to get stronger.”
Meanwhile, Danny Jackson, out with a strained abdomen, is still awaiting permission to resume throwing. And closer Dave Smith was available despite some lingering soreness in his right knee and minor spasms in his back.
Injury update: Shawon Dunston left Thursday`s game with a strained right bicep, but the injury was not reported to be serious.
On the mend: Joe Girardi said he was feeling ”better, definitely better”
after a Thursday workout that included batting practice, throwing to second base and catching. But plans for a minor-league rehabilitation are on hold.
More Top Picks Best Diversion Safes
”We`ll just have to wait and see,” said Girardi, who will be examined by team doctors Saturday. ”A lot depends on how I feel later this week.”
Said manager Jim Essian, ”We`re not going to rush him. On a scale of 10 for pain, he`s at 3 1/2. We want to get him down to 1.”
Close but no cigar: Thirty-two of the Cubs` first 82 games were decided by one run. That`s the second-highest total in the National League, behind Montreal. The Cubs have also played 18 two-run games.
Pitching change: The Astros have moved All-Star Pete Harnisch to a Saturday afternoon start. Mark Portugal moves to Friday.