Ohman's shoulder looks AAA-OK

HOUSTON -- Turns out Will Ohman's shoulder soreness was all bark, no bite, and the left-hander is expected to be cleared today to report to Class AAA Iowa as ordered.

Ohman, who first reported his shoulder was bothering him after being informed the club had optioned him to Iowa on Tuesday, was diagnosed with irritation of the AC joint after an MRI on Wednesday.

It's a condition that typically requires no more than a few days off to subside.

Ohman's revelation that he had been pitching despite a ''barking'' shoulder didn't sit well with some Cubs officials, and it caught manager Lou Piniella by surprise.

''I don't pitch or play people that have something wrong physically,'' Piniella said.

''The trainer and I converse every day, and I didn't know anything about it.''

Carlos Zambrano has done more than almost any pitcher in baseball over the last two months, but he might have been his own worst enemy Wednesday when he tried to raise the bar even higher to help the Cubs out of their weeklong funk.

''I was feeling good today, but I tried to do too much,'' said Zambrano (14-8), who lasted just 5 2/3 innings and gave up seven earned runs, tying his season high.

Unlike his last two starts, cramps were not an issue, said Zambrano, who drank plenty of water all week.

Injured outfielder Alfonso Soriano (quadriceps) is expected to join the team in Denver today to continue his rehab work, and close friend Felix Pie said Soriano already is showing improvement.

''He told me he can walk normal now,'' said Pie, who talks daily by phone with Soriano. ''He's not in as much pain.''

Carlos Zambrano recorded his 1,000th career strikeout when he fanned Houston's Luke Scott for the first out of the second inning.

•  Piniella said he's considering batting catcher Jason Kendall second when he returns to the lineup during the Colorado series. Jacque Jones hit in that spot Wednesday for the first time since April 10.

•  Catcher Henry Blanco (shoulder) could resume a rehabilitation assignment as early as next week, general manager Jim Hendry said.

•  Brian Dopirak, who was designated for assignment this week to make room on the 40-man roster for Eric Patterson, cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Class A Daytona.

•  Adam Harben, the minor-league right-hander acquired from the Minnesota Twins in the Phil Nevin trade last August, struck out all three batters he faced Tuesday for Mesa of the rookie league in his first outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery after last season.