Alfonso Soriano has been cleared to do strengthening work without a splint, and he said he talked to trainers about starting to take batting practice at some point this week but was told to wait until possibly the St. Louis series next weekend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Soriano said, "The doctors keep saying they want to be careful, that we're in first place and we have a whole second half." He is recovering from a broken left ring finger.Soriano is still trying to get back in time for the All-Star game.

Soriano cleared to do strength work

Rumors of a quick return for Chicago outfielder Alfonso Soriano appear to be leaning towards reality, according to the Chicago Sun Times.After another X-ray Friday on Soriano's injured left hand, the Cubs said doctors are ''very pleased'' with how quickly he's healing, and he's expected to return from the disabled list sooner than the original six-week prognosis. The Cubs' leadoff hitter has been cleared to start range-of-motion and strengthening work without a splint, the team said. Soriano has stated he wants to return to batting practice this week and has every intention of representing his team in the All-Star game. This timeline could help him reach those goals.

Soriano aiming to be back for All Star game

Alfonso Soriano (broken hand)and manager Lou Pinella believe that the star outfielder will indeed be able to return to action quicker than the original six week estimate, according to MLB.com. "I would think, just looking at it, it won't be six weeks," Piniella said. "If we get him back right after the All-Star break, I think we'd feel really good about it...He heals really quick."Let's hope that all this positive thinking does indeed result in Soriano returning to action earlier than originally believed. Our fingers are crossed (or is that a jinx?).

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Soriano could miss six weeks with broken hand

Soriano leaves with hand injury after HBP

Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano hit a three-run homer in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Padres and has three dingers in his last four games and 14 on the season.

Soriano leads Cubs offense in victory

Alfonso Soriano homered, Jim Edmonds drove in two runs, and the Chicago Cubs beat the reeling Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Sunday to complete a perfect seven-game homestand. Soriano made it 5-3 with a solo shot in the sixth -- his 13th homer of the season and his second in as many games.