Rotation could get new spin

MIAMI -- Even with only five games left, Cubs manager Lou Piniella isn't done tinkering with his pitching rotation.

He strongly hinted that extra starter Steve Trachsel's scheduled start Thursday will be changed and seems to be looking at more than one way to set up his potential playoff rotation.

''The way we're scheduled now, I wouldn't go to the bank with it,'' Piniella said. ''We're looking at it from a lot of different angles, and we'll see what happens.''

When asked if Jason Marquis would remain today's starter, Piniella said he would. When asked if Trachsel also would stay on schedule, he said: ''I said [today's] starter was the same. I haven't said anything else. And I haven't said the rotation for Cincinnati, either.''

Before Tuesday, Piniella had said Rich Hill, Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly were his scheduled starters for the Reds series starting Friday.

Former Cubs great Ron Santo, who returned to work after missing three games over the weekend with a tough bout with the flu, said he relishes the idea of returning to Shea Stadium in October, even though he has said repeatedly how much he hates that place.

''Are you kidding me? In one second,'' said Santo, who rejoiced in May that he never would have to go to Shea again because the New York Mets move to a new stadium next year. ''That's why I took three days off, because I can't miss this road trip and the playoffs.''

Craig Monroe's two-run homer in the eighth was the Cubs' 39th of the month, setting a club record for September.

•  •  Piniella said Zambrano had no physical problems two days after leaving Sunday's start early because of cramps.