Big Z side session leaves no health question

The media's Carlos Zambrano health watch continued through his side-throwing day Thursday without incident or hint of injury.

''He's fine. There's nothing wrong with Zambrano. I don't know where all this came from,'' manager Lou Piniella said of radio-sparked speculation that the Cubs ace might have a sore arm, based on back-to-back ugly outings.

Zambrano threw his between-starts session for pitching coach Larry Rothschild without so much as a trainer in sight and pronounced himself fit, healthy and strong.

''Always,'' he said.

''He's nice and healthy and ready to go,'' Piniella said. ''He's had two subpar starts for him, but that's about it. There's nothing wrong with him physically, believe me.''

Jacque Jones, the Cubs' hottest hitter this month, turned his left ankle during his last at-bat and limped off the field. But Jones said afterward that he's fine, and he's expected to be in the lineup today for the series opener against the St.Louis Cardinals.

Jones limped down the first-base line after singling through the left side of the infield for his fourth hit of the game, raising his season average to .276, the highest it has been since May 8 (.280).

That's also 34 points higher than it was at the end of July, the result of a 25-for-57 (.439) August that has included two home runs and 15 RBI.

So much for a sore right wrist affecting Aramis Ramirez's swing after he missed five games and got a cortisone shot last week.

Upon returning to the lineup Tuesday, the Cubs' cleanup hitter went 7-for-12 in the three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds -- including a four-hit game Thursday -- with homers in his first two games back. He also walked twice and had four RBI in the series.

''I feel all right,'' he said. ''And it's not like I missed a month or something. Six days [counting a day off] is nothing compared to two weeks or three weeks or a month.''

Rookie left-hander Carmen Pignatiello, the Sun-Times Player of the Year at Providence in 2000, made a successful major-league debut in the eighth inning, allowing only an infield single to slugger Adam Dunn.

''I don't think it gets any better than this,'' said Pignatiello, 24. ''Pitching for the team you grew up rooting for in your hometown, having your family here to watch you and other people who have supported me throughout the years -- to go out there and pitch a solid inning, it doesn't get any better than that. I don't think I felt my legs, to be honest with you.''

Outfielder Angel Pagan (colitis) won't be eligible to return from the disabled list until next week, but he returned to the clubhouse after spending much of the last week bed-ridden and said he feels much better.

•  •  Jason Carr, a member of the Cubs' media-relations staff since the start of last season, was promoted to assistant director for media information. He's on pace to become team president in February 2031.

CUBS IN BRIEF