7/17 Soriano scratched; Lilly questionable

Alfonso Soriano was scratched from Friday’s lineup because of swelling in the little finger on his right hand, which he dislocated in the fourth inning the day before diving into second base. There was significant swelling and Soriano couldn’t grip a bat with his hand.

“I think it’ll probably be a few days,” Lou Piniella said.

Ted Lilly is questionable for Saturday’s game because he has some discomfort in his left knee. Piniella said if Lilly can’t go, Randy Wells, slated to go Monday, could be moved up to Saturday and Kevin Hart could start on Sunday.

Lilly’s knee problems had nothing to do with him not pitching in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. It’s been bothering him in his last couple starts.

“That’s what we talk about here — getting healthy and staying healthy,” Piniella said. “It’s been a problem. Maybe signing this [B.J. Ryan] might be a good timing thing for us.”

The Cubs signed Ryan to a Minor League contract on Thursday.

– Carrie Muskat