Building a batter outfield?
Manager Lou Piniella made that clear Saturday in confirming that Alfonso Soriano will move from center field to left when he returns from his hamstring strain, likely on Monday.
Who plays in the other spots could depend on who hits.
''We need to start scoring more runs, and whoever is swinging the bat can write his own ticket,'' Piniella said. ''The most difficult thing is not scoring runs every day. We're doing the best we can to get everyone playing time, and I understand everyone wants to play. We're doing the best we can.''
But the reality would seem to limit the rotating corps of outfielders Piniella has used so far. Soriano's agreement to move to left, where he played all of last season for the Washington Nationals, appears to make center field the territory of rookie Felix Pie. Jacque Jones was the starting right fielder but has played some center field in Soriano's absence.
The situation carries a caveat: Piniella wants to return to carrying 12 pitchers, which would mean a position player would have to be moved. If Pie isn't sent back to Class AAA, someone else would have to come off the roster.
''We'll have to get back to 12 pitchers,'' Piniella said. ''We can't stay with 11, and we'll get back to 12 shortly.''
The Cubs dropped to 11 pitchers when Angel Guzman was optioned to Iowa and Pie was called up last Tuesday. The move came after Soriano strained his hamstring but didn't go on the disabled list.
Soriano tested his hamstring running before Saturday's game.
''He wants to play, but we're going to wait until Monday,'' Piniella said. ''He'll get more treatment, get a little stronger and be ready Monday [against the Milwaukee Brewers].
''We'll leave him in left field. There's less running there, and it'll be much better for him. He's OK with that, and he understands. He'll do whatever's best for the team and himself.''
Soriano repeated he doesn't mind moving back to left field.
''Why not?'' he said. ''Whatever Lou says. If he wants me to move, why not?''
FINICKY CONFINES: Piniella is learning the intricacies of Wrigley Field, from the juts in the corners of the outfield to the unpredictable winds.
''The swirling winds more than anything,'' he said. ''This park makes you play baseball [in] all facets. What I'm learning are what the needs are to play here and win here. You have to be able to execute.
''Look at yesterday,'' he said of Friday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals. ''A few mistakes in execution, and we lose a 2-1 game.''
Newly built ballparks have fewer peculiarities, ''but this is more fun,'' Piniella said. ''This is baseball.''
WOOD UPDATE: Kerry Wood continues to recover from severe tendinitis and is unsure when he will resume throwing. Wood told MLB.com that doctors believe the strengthening work he did in the offseason improved his muscles, which in turn caused stress on the tendons when he started throwing.
Wood hasn't thrown since March 25 in spring training.
MANAGING THE BOOTH: Joe Girardi, a finalist for the Cubs' managerial job last fall, was in the broadcast booth Saturday as part of the Fox team. Girardi, the National League manager of the year last season, was fired by the Florida Marlins. He chose television instead of other managing options for this season and is working on a package of New York Yankees telecasts and the Fox weekend games.
The Peoria native, Northwestern grad and former Cub, who was with the Cardinals in his final playing season, is enjoying more time with his wife, Kim, and three young children.
''We got to take a spring vacation this year, and that's the first time I could do that in 20 years -- even longer, counting playing in college,'' he said.
SHORT HOPS: Derrek Lee got his 1,200th career hit in the first inning when he singled. Aramis Ramirez's 18-game hitting streak dating to last season ended.