According to a report from the Associated Press, Alfonso Soriano will have his broken hand re-examined on Friday and “hopes to return before the All-Star break next month.” The report from the AP stated that Soriano would have a “better idea on Friday” and he added, “I’m going to see how far I am, I believe that before the All-Star game I think I’ll be able to play.”
Several reports mentioned that Soriano would go out on a rehab assignment before being activated from the DL. According to a report in the Tribune, Soriano wants to play in the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium for obvious reasons. Soriano broke in with the Yankees and would like to play one last game there. The report in the Tribune indicated that if Soriano does make it back before the All-Star game, chances are “the Cubs probably won’t let Soriano risk reinjuring himself by playing in it.”
Lou Piniella stated the Cubs would have a better idea of when Soriano would be returning after this weekend. The Tribune reported Soriano could be out on a rehab stint during the break that “could help him return by the first series after the break on July 18-20 in Houston.“