CUBS IN BRIEF: Rumored deal for Podsednik dead

DENVER -- The rumored waiver-wire trade talks between the Cubs and White Sox over Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik are dead, and, in fact, never had much of a pulse in the first place. One source suggested the chances were never better than ''one in a thousand'' from the outset.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry -- who said Friday that he had made about a dozen waiver claims in the last week alone, as a standard part of August maneuvering -- said Saturday he still had live claims heading into Monday. But he also said he's comfortable with the current shape of his roster and isn't expected to make a deal.

Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis talked with several members of the Colorado Rockies on Saturday to find out how infielder Jeff Baker was doing and to apologize for the pitch that got away and hit Baker in the head Friday night.

Baker, who was placed on the disabled list Saturday, suffered a concussion and facial cuts when a Marquis fastball hit him in the helmet and caromed into his face. Tests showed no other damage.

''They told me the tests were negative, which was good,'' Marquis said. ''I spoke to [Rockies coach] Vinny Castilla, who I played with, and I saw some of their other guys in the weight room. I don't think they saw any malice intended. ... Hopefully, it didn't do too much damage. I'm glad the tests came back negative.''

Aramis Ramirez, sidelined since Wednesday with a wrist injury, said he felt a lot better Saturday -- two days after a cortisone shot -- than he did even a day earlier. But he didn't anticipate returning to the lineup until Tuesday against the Reds at home.

He said the wrist had been bothering him for about 10 days before finally reaching the point where he couldn't swing the bat. But he refused to blame the wrist for the fact he has only one homer since June 29 and none since July 20.

''I still think I hit a lot of balls in the gaps and a lot of doubles but just didn't get that lift to hit it out of the park,'' he said. ''But I don't know. I don't have any excuse for it.''

•  •   Will Ohman, who put his Cubs future in doubt by claiming he pitched hurt leading up to his demotion and that the medical staff knew it, reported to AAA Iowa as scheduled and played catch in anticipation of his first scheduled appearance on Tuesday.

•  •   Piniella said he's still not sure whether Felix Pie is ready to hit at the major-league level but is confident that will come and said he likes Pie's new, taller batting stance and hitting approach in his third stint with the Cubs this year.