Piniella's priorities: Lee, pitching depth
But he has bigger, more imposing issues than the Sox and the heat of the series to worry about when he gets to the ballpark this morning.
''I'm more concerned whether Derrek Lee's going to be available than anything else,'' Piniella said Thursday.
Lee has been sidelined because of neck spasms since an aborted attempt to play Sunday in Philadelphia and has been in Chicago undergoing medical exams.
The Cubs hope the National League batting leader is ready to rejoin the lineup today, but if not, they might have to consider a move to the disabled list.
''Let's hope it doesn't get to that,'' said Piniella, who's looking for a way to get another pitcher on the roster regardless of Lee's status.
With Lee out and infielder Mark DeRosa (right ring finger) hurting, the Cubs had to bring up infielder Mike Fontenot from the minors at the expense of their 12th pitcher.
''We were caught,'' Piniella said. ''Invariably, we'll get back to 12.''
That could happen today, even if Lee returns. Piniella said he wasn't sure if he could get through the weekend with 11 pitchers.
''It's day-to-day with us,'' he said.
The Cubs might have a natural, if unfortunate, short-term move they can make, depending on the seriousness of pitcher Angel Guzman's hamstring. The right-hander pitched well for five innings against the Mets but left because of hamstring cramps.
The top two candidates to join the staff from the minors are right-hander Carlos Marmol (4-1, 3.79 ERA) and lefty Sean Marshall (1-0, 2.16 entering Thursday).
Marshall was scheduled to pitch in a night game Thursday, so unless he got held out of the start, Marmol would be the probable call-up if the Cubs make a move this weekend.
SLIP AND SLIDE: After his performance slipped in his last two starts, in part because of trouble holding runners, Rich Hill will be asked to use a slide step with men on base to help counter his long delivery and longer curveball.
Hill said he has used the move before but never exclusively, often employing a compromise move that shortens his delivery more subtly. The footwork is meant to prevent the runner from picking up as quickly whether the pitcher is going to first or the plate.
''I don't mind using it,'' Hill said. ''It just takes time to practice and get consistent.''
He agreed he needs to do it after the Mets and Phillies ran almost uncontested against him in his last two starts.
''It shouldn't be [tough],'' Piniella said. ''In fact, we were looking at his stuff early in the year when we did call slide steps, and it was a crisp and normal delivery. Same velocity with the same location and breaking ball -- no difference whatsoever.
''He can do it. It's just about getting consistent.''
DEROSA RETURNS: In a decision made just before game time, DeRosa started at first base after faring well in a batting-practice test of his injured finger. He went 0-for-3 before being replaced in a sixth-inning double switch.
GOOD RIDDANCE: Cubs radio broadcaster Ron Santo, who has made no secret of his hatred for Shea Stadium dating to a series of events during the Cubs' heartbreaking 1969 season, said he's never coming back to Shea, which will be razed after next season anyway. That made Thursday his last day in his personal house of horrors.
''Happiest day of my life,'' Santo said.