Dave

Veres

Veres allowed runs in each of his first two apperances, but now is over the groin problem that hobbled him in spring training. Veres keeps himself in the saves picture in Chicago with Thursday’s outing, but the Cubs still only have one save, belonging to Joe Borowski.

Veres will return to Chicago to be checked on by team orthopedist Michael Schafer. The Cubs are growing concerned that there’s a bigger problem than tendinitis.

GM Jim Hendry said there was ''no significant damage’’ to the shoulder, so Veres may be able to return to his rehab assignment shortly. First, he will visit with team doctors on Friday.

The Cubs may use the full 20 days allowed for Veres’ rehab assignment.

“As of right now it looks like it’s going to be the Giants,” Veres said. “Nothing’s agreed to and signed, but they’re one of the teams that have called. On Tuesday, they’re going to check me out to make sure my knee and shoulder and hip are healthy.”

Veres’ split-finger pitch is coming along well during his rehab assignment. The Cubs would like Veres to get more repetition with his mechanics and continue increasing his velocity before bringing him back.

''Unless there’s some regression, we’ll see him in the next couple of weeks,’' GM Jim Hendry said.

If Veres gets his wish, he may not do a rehab stint.

Only Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Dan Miceli have jobs secured. Ricky Stone, Brandon Backe, Kirk Saarloos, Jared Fernandez, Jeriome Robertson, Brandon Duckworth and Mike Gallo are competing with Veres.

Veres, who closed for the Rockies in 1999, is pitching for Triple-A Fresno in the Giants’ organization.