Well, that sucks, there is no positive, though I think we have the depth to push through.

I would be shocked to see Ascanio. After the complete game tonight, I think the bullpen is back under control, and we'll go back to 12 pitchers. Hart will likely be sent down, Hoffpauir up, and either Murton or E Pat (the hot hand down at Iowa).

More interesting is who gets the playing time. Lou will probably try a few guys then do what he always does, which is ride the hot hand. I bet Cedeno gets a couple starts at 2B while DeRosa move to LF, and Johnson gets a couple starts in LF. If Hoffpauir mashes AL pitching these next two series, though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get the bulk of the PT.

PS, the next time the Cubs do go to Iowa for right-handed relief, it might not be Ascanio anyway. It might be Randy Wells. He has been great lately.

Keith, I agree Randy Wells has pitched extremely well but he is not on the 40-man roster. If the Cubs call-up Wells, they would have to either release a player (Jake Fox, Chad Fox) or put a player on the 60-day DL (Chad Fox, Soriano) to make room for Wells.

I wouldn't be at all suprised to see Hoffpauir in the lineup his first couple games back. And if he hits, he'll keep playing.

This team needs to pick itself up again. Our Cubbies have shown they can continue to win games even without Sori. At least his legs should be great in 6 weeks.

Neil, that's a good point, though either Fox seems like a good release candidate. I'm not sure what we were doing with Chad, Right-Handed relief is probably the one area we're pretty deep in.

Hey, we need a LF; if we're talking blast from the past, how about a JASON DUBOIS redux?!?!?

Guys, let's not completely bug out. Yes, Soriano has been playing lights out and it bites el chulupo that he's out six weeks min. But, this gives Micah a legit shot in the lineup. He proved pretty damn well before. Plus, we were doing OK without Alfosno before... so, it's not devastating. If we lose Soriano and or Dempster... then we're in it deep. But SO is sub .300, big dingers and lots of Ribbies... so I'm not discounting, but offense isn't our big issue. It's consistent pitching. Let's just hope we don't have to worry about that any time soon.

Dubois is awful. Absolutely horrific. That would be a ridiculous move.

I think Hoff, Font, and Ronny can hold down the fort with Soriano out.

We also need to root against the Tribe so they are forced to deal CC.

To address many of the comments above....

Hoffpauir was going to play regardless of the Soriano injury. he was going to be called up before the Cubs hit Toronto, and Lou had said he would spend most of the time playing the field to give Lee and Soriano a chance to rest by just being a DH. So, Hoffy was slated to play anyhow. Perhaps now he might hit the DH spot more and let Reed play LF..who knows.

Originally it was going to be the 13th pitcher Hart sent down to call Hoffy up. Now with Hoffy taking Soriano's spot, who will get the call for Harts spot when we drop the 13th pitcher? Leading candidate as mentioned above is Matt Murton. Hitting above .300 (althogh last 10 games he is struggling at .143) and this could be a chance to boost his trade value towards the end of July. If Soriano can get back in about 6 weeks, that is around the end of July. Murton has more trade value from the bigs than AAA and if he plays well up here it only increases his value. I think this factor alone seals the fact it will be Murton called up. Just hope he finds his power. Only 1 homer in Iowa. Hoffy could play against the RH pitchers and Murton would play against the LH pitchers. Murton does much better against LH pitching. (Hitting almost .400 in Iowa against LH pitchers)

The name Jason Dubois was mentioned and he would be a possibility as well. As far as him being horrible or not...In just 36 AB's with Iowa he has 5 HR's and 11 RBI's with a .306 average. I can't see them picking up Dubois over Murton, unless options come in to play whereas if they call Murton up they are not able to send him back down if they need to. I doubt this is the scenario however. This move would also require putting him on the 40 man roster (presumably putting Chad Fox on the 60 day DL)

An outside chance would be Felix Pie. But he hasn't been able to hit himself out of a paper bag, so it's not likely Lou would bring him up.

Another outside chance would be Eric Patterson, but I would think they'd rather have the RH hitting Murton as opposed to the LH Patterson. I think between Patterson and Murton, Patterson needs to play every day which he couldnt do in the majors. Plus, again, I think this can showcase Murton for a July trade.

Ascanio will likely make it back to the club the next time a bullpen member struggles. I think Weurtz is on his last leg, so if he doesnt turn it around, we could see Ascanio up sooner than later.

With the depth that we have and the power hitters we have, there is no sense of fear with the loss. What is good is that Soriano was looking much better with his legs the last day or two, so he will REALLY be 100% with his legs when he returns. He came back off his first stay in the DL this year on a tear, so hopefully he comes back in late July or early August and heats it up through the end of the season.

Nice job by Dempster tonight and Lilly last night giving the pen a rest. Now hopefully the Zambrano we know and love returns for todays game and keeps the pen sitting as well. Would make for quite an easy short homestand for the bullpen if Carlos goes 8 or 9.

Let's go for the third straight home series sweeep!!

Also, keep in mind...we lost Soriano, but the Cardinals..hot on our tail...also lost a star. Pujos is out for a few weeks as well. Probably about half the time of Soriano, but still.

On our talks of pitchers the Cubs could pick up.....I noted that Sabathia threw a complete game shutout 2 nights ago...well last night Randy Wolf of the Padres threw 7 innings giving up one run and striking out 9.

While I truly hate seeing any player get hurt, my suspicion is that Hoffpauer will truly shine with this opportunity, and that tough decisions will have to be made six weeks from now.

Mike I hope you are right. Lets just hope his defense is good enough to be out there.

If this was last year I would be worried, but this year, this team has been able to pick each other up. Right now would be a great time for Ramirez and Lee to go on one of their month long hot streaks.
If Hoff can come up and do what Font did last year for a month we will be just fine.

I'm not sure if Bennett was making a statement about the homerun given up in the first. Remember Lilly threw a high one after a home run Tues. and Lilly was involved in the hub bub in Atlanta last year.Lou would be foolish to risk suspensions but it does give the Cub's pitching the option of coming up and in in a close game today to back hitters off the plate.

The Cubs could use a really solid No 2 starter, but I think they could get away with Livian Hernandez who is experienced in the playoffs and get a another high quality reliever. I sure would like to have a fresh and strong Kerry Wood for the playoffs after seeing him in the last game in LA. Soriano's absense can be overcome, I don't know if Wood's could be.

As a Murton fan, I hope he gets the call-up. But as Joe said, his promomtion would most likely be a showcase to increase his trade value.

Let's not forget that Ward is on his way back, maybe two weeks away, so whoever is promoted will only be around a short time. Cedeno and Hoffpauir will platoon with DeRosa, and Ward will be the late inning pinch hitter. I also like Fontenot, but I wonder if he could get sent down in favor of Patterson in the near future. Fonty is struggling off the bench.

You know, not to be argumentative, but I keep reading on this board and others that the Cubs deperately need a solid no. 2 pitcher. And don't get me wrong I am very much in favor of picking up another quality arm, but folks, Dempster has proven we DO HAVE A SOLID #2. 8-2, below 3.00 ERA. I think Cub fans need to give the man some credit for having one heck of a year so far!!!

Demps has been a great number 2, but having Z, Lily, Demps, and CC as a starting four makes me really love our rotation with Gallagher/Marquis rounding it out. Seriously that is fearsome with our offense.

Was that Aaron's post that mentioned DuBose?

DuBose???? u gotta be kidding. Isn't Matt Murton a LF?

DuBose is an average hitter and a horrifically inept fielder... Murton is also a lousy fielder.... but could probably hit .300 with regular at-bats

I am sorta shocked that no one is calling for Reed Johnson to step in at LF. The guy has only been an on base machine as well as made the ESPN Top Ten plays TWICE with verrrry athletic catches. What is going on out there?

Too bad both Hoffpauir and Kroeger are both left handed. Kroeger is putting up pretty good numbers, .285 with 7 HR's, plus he is a natural outfielder. Maybe if we send down Fontenot we could have him up here. DeRo, Theriot, and Cedeno could man the middle. Just thinking out loud.

Nick,

Kroeger may be a natural outfielder but trust me defensively he makes Soriano look like Shoeless Joe. He's destined for a DH role.