Cubs’ Soriano sits out with hamstring injury; Pie recalled

CHICAGO (TICKER) —Alfonso Soriano sat out the first of what may turn into a handful of games on Tuesday due to a left hamstring strain.

The Chicago Cubs did not place Soriano on the disabled list, but they did recall prospect Felix Pie to lead off and play center field before Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.

Soriano came up limping after attempting to make a diving catch on a pop-up in the fifth inning of Monday night’s game against San Diego. He did not play in Tuesday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.

“It’s a little problem, maybe a week,” Soriano said when asked how long he expected to be sidelined.

Signed to the richest free-agent contract in Cubs history in the offseason, an eight-year deal worth $136 million deal, Soriano is making the transition to center field after serving as the Washington Nationals’ left fielder in 2006.

The All-Star had gotten off to a slow start this season, batting just .245 with no homers, one RBI and one steal after blasting 46 homers and swiping 41 bases last season.

Pie has his chance to make an impression on manager Lou Piniella. If he succeeds, Soriano may move back to left field.

Pie has an RBI double and threw a runner out at the plate in Tuesday’s game against the Padres.

The highly touted outfielder was hitting .444 (16-for-36) with one home run, two doubles and nine walks in 11 games with Class AAA Iowa of the Pacific Coast League.

To make room for Pie, the Cubs optioned righthander Angel Guzman to Iowa.