Barrett may catch in Z 's start Friday

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he hasn't thought far enough ahead to know for sure, but he might pair catcher Michael Barrett with right-hander Carlos Zambrano on Friday for the first time since Zambrano punched Barrett in the clubhouse June 1.

Koyie Hill, who has caught Zambrano in all three of the pitcher's starts since then, will start tonight or Thursday, Piniella said, increasing the likelihood that Barrett would open the White Sox series behind the plate Friday.

''I'm not concerned about putting Barrett with Zambrano,'' Piniella said.

Zambrano and left-handers Rich Hill and Sean Marshall are scheduled to start Friday through Sunday against the Sox.

For the second year in a row, Cubs left-hander Scott Eyre is playing in an interleague series against his brother, Willie Eyre, who was with the Minnesota Twins last year and now pitches for the Texas Rangers. They've yet to appear in the same game.

Brothers pitching in the same game apparently is not that rare. It happened only four days ago with Oakland's Ron Flores and St. Louis' Randy Flores.

In the first of the Cubs' six interleague games with the designated hitter, Piniella used Cliff Floyd as his DH on Tuesday and said he'll use Daryle Ward today and possibly Derrek Lee on Thursday.

•   Third baseman Aramis Ramirez took grounders and batting practice for the first time since being sidelined with a jammed knee two weeks ago. He's on track to return from the disabled list Friday and likely assume DH duties against the Sox.

•   Ward was activated from the DL, taking the roster spot vacated by rookie left-hander Clay Rapada, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa after Sunday's game.

•   Right-hander Wade Miller rejoined the team after seeing a specialist and working with a therapist back home near Philadelphia in recent weeks. Miller said his surgically repaired shoulder feels better, and he hopes to advance to throwing full bullpen sessions by this weekend or early next week.