Trachsel's status suddenly shaky

PITTSBURGH -- Steve Trachsel's disastrous start on Sunday threw a wrench into the Cubs' pitching plans for the end of the week -- and threw his status with the team in doubt.

Manager Lou Piniella said before the game that he expected to start ace Carlos Zambrano on Thursday in Houston on his regular rest instead of giving him an extra day and starting him in Friday's series opener in St. Louis. That figured to slot Trachsel in Friday on his regular schedule.

But when asked after the game what he'd do with the recently acquired veteran after he lasted only two innings Sunday, Piniella said: ''I don't know. We've got to think about this. And I don't know what we're going to do Thursday, to be honest with you.

''I might have to have a nice dinner and a glass of wine thinking about it.''

The trade for Trachsel, a former Cub who was reacquired from Baltimore 10 days ago, was made to give the Cubs veteran insurance for their struggling rotation down the stretch. Piniella made it clear he would evaluate Trachsel over at least two starts, then determine whether he would be a better choice in the final weeks than Sean Marshall.

It also was made clear that Trachsel was brought to Chicago to start and isn't needed in the bullpen, which could mean he's gone if the Cubs determine he won't be in the rotation.

Trachsel said he would be ready to start Friday but that he hasn't discussed a schedule the rest of the way with Piniella or pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

''You'll know when I know,'' he said.

''There's no sense in rushing to any decisions on anything,'' Piniella said. ''We don't have to make a decision [today] or the day after, so why rush into anything?''

Converted starter Kerry Wood had his worst relief outing yet, failing to retire a batter in the eighth, falling behind hitters and giving up three runs on two walks and two hits to bury the Cubs after they'd climbed back into the game at 7-5.

He didn't look comfortable, and his ERA jumped to 5.52 in 14 appearances. Piniella said the oft-injured right-hander is healthy, but don't count on him to be used when the game is on the line any time soon.

''His stuff's good enough,'' Piniella said, ''but he's getting behind the hitters and throwing a lot of pitches.''

That stubble that's fast becoming a beard on Piniella's face has nothing to do with making a statement, he said, but it might be an indirect result of the state of the team.

''This is not an intentional thing,'' said Piniella, whose white beard is thicker than it has been all season. ''I don't remember the last time I shaved. This'll come off. It's just a question of when.''

Daryle Ward, who's hitting .375 in 24 career at-bats against Matt Morris, was a strong candidate to start Sunday against Morris, but fluid in his knee kept him out. He was expected to have the fluid drained today in Chicago.

Mark DeRosa was wait-and-see for the lineup after arriving at the park with a swollen hand, the result of being hit by a pitch Saturday. But he fared well enough in the batting cage to play.

Zambrano got permission to return home to Chicago the day after his victory Saturday to take care of a personal matter, Piniella said.

•   •   Alfonso Soriano's two-run homer in the fifth gave him five in nine September games -- already more than he hit during September in any of the last three seasons.

•   •   Marshall's 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief marked his first relief appearance in 87 career professional games.