Cubs' Prior Out Again With Muscle Strain

Cubs RHP Mark Prior was a late scratch from yesterday's game in Milwaukee because of a strained muscle on his left side.

The injury occurred while Prior was taking batting practice before Saturday night's game. The team said it was too early to determine whether he would need to be placed on the disabled list for the seventh time in his five-year career.

"That hurts, big time, because he was just starting to come around," Chicago Manager Dusty Baker said. "He was starting to throw the ball good again.

"Hopefully, it's less serious than we think it is. We really don't know. He will be in Thursday and we will make a determination on how he feels."

Prior, who is 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA, was replaced by Glendon Rusch , who pitched five solid innings in Chicago's 11-4 win.

Prior has struggled with injuries this season, opening the year on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Prior has made four starts since coming off the DL on June 18, losing them all. Prior, 11-7 last season, has not won a game since Sept. 9, 2005, when the Cubs beat San Francisco, 5-2.

? MYERS MAY RETURN : Phillies RHP Brett Myers is expected to rejoin the team Friday in San Francisco after taking a leave of absence following his arrest on charges that he hit his wife, Kim , in the face.

Myers, the team's best starter, was placed on the temporary inactive list and optioned to Class A Clearwater after he pleaded not guilty to assault charges at his arraignment June 23 in Boston Municipal Court. His next court date is Aug. 4.

A decision regarding when Myers (5-3, 3.86 ERA) will return to the rotation will be made at a later date. "He's joining the team, but when he's going to pitch, we haven't decided yet," Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said.

? CAPUANO REPLACES GLAVINE : Brewers LHP Chris Capuano was a last-minute addition to the NL all-star team, replacing Mets LHP Tom Glavine .

Capuano is 10-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 129 innings for the Brewers, shutting out the Cubs on six hits Thursday night in his final start before the all-star break. This will be his first all-star appearance

Glavine will attend tomorrow night's game in Pittsburgh, but chose to be replaced on the team because he started yesterday against the Marlins.

-- From News Services