Lou: Theriot is no short-term solution
One day after saying he finally planned to stick with a constant lineup, Cubs manager Lou Piniella installed a new starting shortstop and put him at the top of the order.
Hot-hitting Ryan Theriot won't stay in the leadoff spot -- he batted there Wednesday only because left fielder Alfonso Soriano's hamstring got a day off because of field conditions -- but he may well stick at shortstop if he keeps hitting.
''We're not scoring many runs, and I need something that can hopefully jump-start us a little bit, so we're trying this out,'' Piniella said. ''The kid can swing the bat and he's got some energy, and I like the way he plays the game. The problem is, where do you put him? Well, he came up as a shortstop, so we'll play him at shortstop and see what he can do.''
Theriot, who had made starts at three other positions this season, including one in right field, responded to his first start at short with a two-hit day that included a two-out, bases-loaded, two-run single in the Cubs' game-breaking fourth inning.
''He did exactly what we wanted,'' said Piniella, who said Theriot will be back at short this weekend in St. Louis. ''That's what we were looking for.''
Theriot replaces light-hitting Cesar Izturis, the former Gold Glove winner acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Greg Maddux deal last July.
''It's a good opportunity, as opposed to playing four different spots in four days,'' Theriot said. ''Two years ago, that's where I was every day [in the minors], so it's something I was comfortable with and excited about. You just want that chance [to start]. That's why we're all here.''
PRIOR NOTICE: Piniella said he saw enough of Mark Prior in spring training to come to the conclusion that his season-ending shoulder surgery probably was the best thing for him.
''I don't think he was going to be able to pitch [that] way,'' Piniella said. ''In a way, I'm happy for the guy because he'll get well now and get strong, and he can resume his career without the problems he had.
''A lot of pitchers have this type of surgery and bounce back and have very productive careers. So let's hope that's the same in Mark's case.''
SHORT HOPS: Piniella said Soriano will be back in the lineup Friday after getting the day off as he comes back from a strained left hamstring.
• First baseman Derrek Lee's 20-game homerless drought -- which ended on Matt Wise's first pitch of the fifth inning -- was his longest to open a season. He hit four last year before a wrist injury sidelined him April 19.
• Outfielder Matt Murton, who has not started since Saturday, has been getting treatment for tightness in his back, but he said it's not serious and he's able to play.
• Pitcher Kerry Wood, on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, is expected to start playing catch this week for the first time since being shut down and visiting a specialist two weeks ago.
• Reliever Michael Wuertz surrendered his first run when Rickie Weeks led off the eighth with a home run. It snapped an 11-inning scoreless streak to start the season.