Corey

Patterson

Patterson should be ready to return for spring training.

The Cubs did well to go 8-4 on the trip with their leadoff hitter playing so poorly.

The hammy may keep Patterson on the bench for today’s afternoon start.

Patterson probably won’t be fully recovered from his torn ACL until 2005, so don’t expect big stolen base numbers this year. Still, he should be OK to draft at a reasonable price.

Not so good for a No. 2 hitter when the Cubs would like people on base for Sammy Sosa. Asked to assess Patterson’s job so far, manager Dusty Baker said, ''Fair. There’s a few things he has to work on. I’m trying to give him a chance to work on them.’' Baker might move Patterson down to the sixth spot, though the Cubs don’t have an ideal No. 2 guy. ''It’s not for [Patterson’s] good as much as it’s for our good, and his good, in that order,’' Baker said. ''So yeah, I got a couple guys in mind.’' Dusty didn’t name them, but we’d like to believe he won’t go back to Alex Gonzalez. Michael Barrett (.355 OBP) and Derrek Lee (.353) could see time at No. 2 though they wouldn’t be permanent options. Mark Grudzielanek, when healthy, would look good there, but Dusty would have to be willing to make him the shortstop in place of Gonzalez -- something he has resisted to this point.

This doesn’t appear serious enough to even list Patterson as day-to-day.

It’s a goal, though Patterson is making no promises. He is seeking a second opinion on the severity of the injury before setting any real timetable for his return.

Patterson will play in the Cubs exhibition opener tomorrow. “He has come back very quickly from a very serious situation,” manager Dusty Baker said.

“Ultimately my goal is to hit third,” Patterson said. “When you look at all the teams, generally the best hitter hits third.” He didn’t just suggest he was the best hitter on the Cubs did he? Manager Dusty Baker appears content to leave him in the second spot, which is certainly preferable to using Alex Gonzalez there.

Patterson has moved all over the lineup this season, hitting 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. Even though he’s hitting just .250 with a 710 OPS, Patterson does have five homers and six stolen bases, and is on pace to score 90 runs. He’s also just seven walks away from establishing a new career high with 20.