Nothing special for Maddux

His return to Wrigley will be for No. 351

May 12, 2008

The drama was taken out of Greg Maddux's return to Wrigley Field this week when he won his 350th game late Saturday, becoming only the third pitcher since the 1920s to do it.

San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman handed Maddux the ball after saving a 3-2 victory over Colorado.

"I'll take any free ball I can get," Maddux said in typical low-key fashion. "I'll give it to my kid, let him go play with it."

Catcher Luke Carlin was making his major-league debut and said, "It was kind of like all of my dreams came true at once."

Maddux, who won 117 games in his two stints with the Cubs, joins Warren Spahn and Roger Clemens as the only 350-game winners from the live-ball era. He's scheduled to face the Cubs on Thursday.

New face coming?

Could the Cubs be interested in signing center fielder Jim Edmonds, just released by the Padres after hitting .178 and struggling in the field? They are exploring the possibility, according to some in the know.

Manager Lou Piniella long has desired another left-handed bat to go with Kosuke Fukudome. Felix Pie has been unreliable. Signing Edmonds could allow the Cubs to send Pie to Triple-A Iowa for steady work.

Asked about the possibility of a left-handed bat being added, Piniella said, "We'll just have to see what happens."

Reprieve

The Cubs' original lineup Sunday, made before the Diamondbacks scratched Randy Johnson, did not include Fukudome.

"Left-handers are hitting .070 or .060 off [Johnson]," Piniella said.

Piniella got a chuckle when he added, "I don't think Fukudome has faced a 6-foot-10 left-hander in Japan."

Extra innings

Former Cub Mark Prior returned to San Diego to have his shoulder examined after having more problems in extended spring training. The Padres had hoped he would be pitching in minor-league games by now, but he has not appeared in any. ... The Cubs are 48-62 on Mother's Day but have won two straight.