Aramis Ramirez

I'd sell before this news gets out. Is that dirty or unethical? meh, I don't see it that way. You are just more informed. Nothing wrong with that.

As Aramis Ramirez neared a return to the lineup earlier this month, he and Cubs officials cautioned against expecting miracles. Now a week of games into his return, it looks like the miracle might be seeing any significant power the rest of the season from the slugger who averaged 30 homers the last eight years.

And that's one more hurdle the run-starved Cubs will have to overcome in their second-half quest for a third consecutive playoff berth. ''I can't go to the plate and try to hit a home run because that ain't going to happen,'' said Ramirez, who told the Sun-Times before the second-half opener Thursday in Washington that his left shoulder bothers him more then he anticipated. ''If I try to hit it, I won't hit it. In BP maybe I would, but in the game, if I try to hit [a homer], I won't hit it. I've got to get my pitch and concentrate and do what I've got to do to drive the ball.''

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

A crowded Cubs clubhouse got a little less crowded as Monday afternoon turned to Monday evening. The Cubs welcomed back third baseman Aramis Ramirez, outfielder Reed Johnson and reliever Angel Guzman off the disabled list. They optioned popular outfielder Sam Fuld and reliever Kevin Hart to Class AAA Iowa and placed reliever David Patton on the DL with a right-groin strain.

Manager Lou Piniella and general manager Jim Hendry said the roster moves were not easy ones to make.

Daily Herald

Yeah right.

Why bring him back right before the all star break? why not wait a couple of days, just to play it safe.

Aramis Ramirez's long-awaited return from the disabled list should come before the Cubs' four-game showdown with Mark DeRosa and his St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field just before the All-Star break. Barring a setback with his healing left shoulder, Ramirez plans to continue taking batting practice through the series in Pittsburgh, then head out Thursday for a minor-league rehab assignment of maybe four or five games.

That could put him back in the middle of the Cubs' order early next week -- well ahead of the Cardinals series that weekend.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Cubs manager Lou Piniella was optimistic that third baseman Aramis Ramirez (shoulder) might be able to start taking live batting practice this week in Detroit, but Ramirez said he doesn't think that's possible and doesn't want to put a specific timetable on taking that major step in his rehab. ''It all depends on how I feel,'' said Ramirez, who only moved from swinging a fungo to swinging his own, heavier bat on Sunday. ''You don't want to try to push too much too fast and go back to where you started.''

Ramirez, who badly separated his shoulder diving for a ball May 8, hasn't had any setbacks so far and said he's encouraged by his progress. ''I couldn't be happier where I am,'' he said. Once Ramirez is comfortable taking live BP, the only remaining step before he returns to the lineup is a minor-league rehab stint. ''We're approaching the latter stages of this thing right now,'' Piniella said.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

We're rounding out the infield today as we take a look at those who ply their trade at third base. This position appears to be another of those where you really want to get one of the elite options if you can, especially now that Ryan Braun is no longer eligible. Don't worry, though - Bill Hall has regained his 3B eligibility!

Let's take a look at the Captain's Top 10...