So what happens to center fielder Felix Pie if the Cubs pick up veteran Jim Edmonds?

That was the question of the day Tuesday, and manager Lou Piniella was combative when talking about Pie and his handling of young players. Pie, the Opening Day center fielder, has lost his starting job to veteran Reed Johnson as the Cubs work on Pie's swing and approach at the plate.

"We're trying to help him in his hitting skills; that's all we're trying to do," Piniella said.

It's a good bet Pie will be optioned to Class AAA Iowa if the Cubs do sign Edmonds after he clears waivers Wednesday. The Padres cut Edmonds last Friday. Pie, a left-handed batter, is 1-for-10 against left-handed pitchers this year and is batting .222 overall.

Shawn Estes had some serious doubts if he was ever going to get his 100th career victory. Khalil Greene hit a three-run homer to help Estes reach that milestone and win his first game since 2005 with the San Diego Padres' 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Estes pitched 5 1-3 innings and the Padres' bullpen secured the win with 3 2-3 innings of hitless relief.

Carlos Zambrano switched to longer sleeves after three innings, not so much to combat the cold -- as would be expected -- but to cover a scab on his pitching arm. Big Z was plenty ready for the elements on a 41-degree night in mid-May and showed his sense of humor Monday night after pitching and batting the Chicago Cubs to a 12-3 win over the San Diego Padres.

Daryle Ward was so sure he would play in the majors that he practiced his signature as a kid. He may get a few autograph requests after his latest big hit. Ward delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs rallied again to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 Sunday after the anticipated showdown between Carlos Zambrano and Randy Johnson got wiped out.

Alfonso Soriano's warming up, even if the weather isn't. He looked like his old self Saturday and hopes he's put his season-long struggles behind him. The Cubs star had four hits, including a go-ahead double in a six-run seventh inning, and showed some flair on the bases to help Chicago beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2.