Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano said his right calf feels fine and he'll be "100 percent" when he returns from the disabled list on Thursday. "I feel good," Soriano said. "I said two weeks when (I was injured). I feel very good. My calf is very strong. We'll see what I can do (Thursday) and the rest of the season." Soriano limped off the field after making his familiar hop to catch a first-inning flyball against Cincinnati on April 15 and landed on the DL for the second time in his career the following day. He insisted again on Wednesday that there was no connection between the hop and the injury. "I do my hop and I finish on my left side," said Soriano, who spent time on the DL last August because of a strained quadriceps muscle. "My right calf, that's the problem that I got. It's not on the left side."

According to The Sports Xchange notes: LF Alfonso Soriano will come off the disabled list Thursday, manager Lou Piniella confirmed Tuesday. Soriano has been on the DL since April 16 with a strained right calf. Soriano will return to the leadoff spot and will play left field. That will force Piniella to split playing time in center field between Reed Johnson and Felix Pie. Mark DeRosa will move from left field back to second base once Soriano returns.

Soriano: I can steal 30 bases this season

Alfonso Soriano will remain at the top of the Chicago Cubs' order for now. Manager Lou Piniella said Soriano will stay in left field and bat lead off when he returns from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, just as he had been doing. Soriano was off to a slow start before he strained his right calf, batting .175 with just two homers and five RBI. The leg injury is his second in less than a year, but despite calls to drop him in the order, Piniella said Soriano is staying put. "He's been swinging the bat very well in batting practice," Piniella said Tuesday. "The ball's jumping off his bat. Let's hope that on Thursday when we get him in there, he gets nice and hot for us."

Soriano to bat leadoff after returning

Soriano guarantees he'll return Thursday

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Alfonso Soriano (right calf) had his most vigorous workouts this weekend since going on the 15-day disabled list and he promises to play when he's eligible to be activated on Thursday.

Injured Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano (calf) worked out before Friday night's game at Washington. "I think I'll be available to play on May 1," he said. Soriano will work out again on Sunday.

Soriano should be back May 1

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano will not need to rehab his injured leg before he returns to the Cubs lineup. All he will have to do is pass some physical tests, and he is expected to rejoin the Cubs lineup on May 1, the first day he is eligible.

Soriano to lead off when he returns

MLB.com reports that Alfonso Soriano (calf) plans to return May 1 against Milwaukee. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 16 and May is the first day he will be eligible to return. "There's no more pain," said Soriano, who doesn't have to wear the large boot that he had for the first few days he was on the DL. "It's still a little sore, but no more pain."

Soriano hitting off tee, jogging

Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano did some light jogging Monday and is still hoping to come off the disabled list next week (April 28-May 4). He suffered a right calf strain catching a fly ball April 15 and went on the DL. He is eligible to come off during an April 29-May 1 series against the Brewers.

Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano did some light jogging Monday and is still hoping to come off the disabled list next week (April 28-May 4). He suffered a right calf strain catching a fly ball April 15 and went on the DL. He is eligible to come off during an April 29-May 2 series against the Brewers.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Alfonso Soriano is progressing from his strained right calf and could start running again as early as Wednesday.

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano underwent an MRI Tuesday night after hurting his right calf while catching Ken Griffey's fly ball to end the top of the first inning. Soriano never came to bat as Mike Fontenot came up to pinch-hit for Soriano, the Cubs' leadoff batter. Soriano often hops as he catches the ball in the outfield and that's how he got hurt. How long he will be out was not clear and test results were going to be released Wednesday. "It'll probably be a while," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "If he's out an extended period, it will hurt us." The Cubs moved second baseman Mark DeRosa to left field on Tuesday and that might be one solution if Soriano is out for an extended period of time. That would allow Fontenot to start at second. The Cubs could also use Reed Johnson in left field or they might call up Matt Murton.

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after an MRI confirmed a strained right calf. Soriano sustained the injury Tuesday night while catching Ken Griffey's fly ball to end the top of the first inning. Soriano never came to bat in the bottom of the inning as Mike Fontenot came up to pinch-hit for the Cubs' leadoff batter. The Cubs recalled infielder Eric Patterson from Triple-A Iowa to take Soriano's place on the roster. Matt Murton did not get the call. Reed Johnson will likely start in left with Felix Pie getting full-time duty in center.

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after an MRI confirmed a strained right calf. Soriano sustained the injury Tuesday night while catching Ken Griffey's fly ball to end the top of the first inning. Soriano never came to bat in the bottom of the inning as Mike Fontenot came up to pinch-hit for the Cubs' leadoff batter. "What happened (Tuesday) night was a freak thing," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. Mark DeRosa, who switched from second base to left field on Tuesday night, was back in left Wednesday night. Fontenot was batting leadoff, and the Cubs recalled infielder/outfielder Eric Patterson from Triple-A Iowa.

Alfonso Soriano is expected to be fully recovered from his calf strain when he comes off the DL, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The team does not think his ailment will linger, or be a problem when he returns.This is favorable news, and Mark DeRosa will spend time in left field until he returns.

Cubs expect Soriano back when eligible

Alfonso Soriano was placed on the DL on Wednesday with a right calf strain, and to take his spot on the roster the Cubs recalled Eric Patterson, this according to MLB.com.The club doesn't seem overly concerned that his is a long term issue, but Soriano has been suffering injuries to his legs for a while now, so even when he returns the team might limit his SB opportunities to ensure he his healthy. Patterson was hitting .222 in 11 games this season at Iowa and figures to have minimal value as the club will likely go with Mark DeRosa and Reed Johnson to help to pick up the slack.

Cubs place Soriano on 15-day DL

Pineilla: Soriano could be out 'a while'

Pineilla: Soriano could be out

Soriano injures right calf, leaves game

Soriano leaves game after straining his calf

Soriano leaves game after tweaking his ankle

Alfonso Soriano was productive in Thursday night's win over the Pirates. The Cubs left fielder singled and doubled and scored two runs.Soriano came into the game hitting .132 with one home run and three RBI, far from what's expected of the All Star.

Alfonso Soriano has a good track record against Matt Morris, today's opposing pitcher for Pittsburgh, according to MLB.com. Soriano is 5-for-9 lifetime, with one homer against Morris.This is good for Soriano as he needs to break out of a slump with a current batting average of .132 over 38 at-bats.

Alfonso Soriano hit his first home run of the season on Sunday off Astros right-hander Brandon Backe.Soriano was again hitting out of the leadoff hole Sunday after hitting second on Friday.

Soriano homers for second hit of season

Soriano hitting .045

Soriano makes appearance at second base

Alfonso Soriano returned to his familiar leadoff role on Wednesday as the Cubs moved Ryan Theriot back into the second hole, this according to a report on MLB.com. "It's something I've been thinking about since the end of spring training, and we'll go with it," manager Lou Piniella said. "Soriano is running better. We'll put him in the leadoff hole, where he's more comfortable, and let him hit there."Soriano will hit no matter where he is in the lineup, you can be sure of that, the question is how healthy are his legs and will they allow him to run like he has in the past?

Soriano to return to leadoff spot