Lou encourages extra BP
CINCINNATI -- After managing only eight singles and an unearned run in their season opener Monday, the Cubs scheduled early batting practice 4½ hours before the game Wednesday.
''We're going to work on the road quite a bit,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''Early in the season, it's not a bad idea to get in as much extra work as you can. And as the weather turns warmer, then you can slack off a little bit.''
The game-time temperature Wednesday was 39 degrees -- 33 degrees colder than the Opening Day temperature.
A few players also went to the park on their day off Tuesday to use right-hander Wade Miller's simulated game as extra BP.
So did the extra work do the Cubs any good? Reds starter Bronson Arroyo held them to a single and two walks in the first three innings, but the Cubs put together a four-hit fourth and wound up with four runs and eight hits in seven-plus innings against him.<
SOFT SHOULDER: Right-hander Mark Prior, who opens the minor-league season on the disabled list in a paper move that allows him to continue to stretch out at extended spring training, officially will be listed as having ''right shoulder fatigue,'' the Cubs said.
Prior, who insisted all spring he was 100 percent healthy, wasn't ready to start games in time to join Class AAA Iowa's rotation for the start of its season today. Because he's on the Cubs' 40-man roster, he must be put on the DL if he's not on an active roster.
It's the fourth consecutive season Prior has opened on the DL. He has been on the DL nine times in his career.
HILL OK: Left-hander Rich Hill threw a full bullpen session and said the troublesome blister on his middle finger had calloused enough to be healed.
''It took care of itself. It's fine,'' said Hill, who didn't throw at all Monday and played catch briefly Tuesday. ''I feel great. I'm ready to go Friday.''
Hill, who made it throuh only one inning of a minor-league spring game Sunday because of the blister, pitches the Cubs' series opener at Milwaukee.
BLAZING BLANCO: Catcher Henry Blanco completed his testimony in Florida early enough that he was able to return to Cincinnati by charter flight just before game. That enabled the Cubs to avoid the risky business of playing without a backup catcher.
Blanco traveled to Key West, Fla., during the team's day off Tuesday and arranged to testify on the first day of a federal trial in which one of his agents, Gus Dominguez, is charged with conspiring to smuggle ballplayers from Cuba to the United States.
SHORT HOPS: Chicago native Cliff Floyd, who entered the game 3-for-6 in his career against Arroyo, got his first start since signing with the Cubs as a free agent during the offseason. He started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
• Right-hander Angel Guzman, the junior member of the Cubs' bullpen, was presented with the traditional pink backpack he'll be required to keep stocked with seeds, candy and other supplies for the veteran relievers and to carry to and from the bullpen every day. ''It's actually really nice,'' he said. ''I love it.''
• Utility man Ryan Theriot was a late scratch from the lineup after originally being penciled in at second base. Regular Mark DeRosa started instead. Theriot pinch-hit for Floyd and laid down a sacrifice in the eighth, then took over in left.
• Injured right-hander Kerry Wood (shoulder) still hasn't thrown from a mound as he continues to play catch in his rehabilitation program in Arizona.
• Left-hander Ted Lilly got his first career RBI with a bases-loaded bunt in the fourth.