"With a week to go before the All-Star Game, the Cubs might have an outside chance of getting one or two more participants in the festivities in Phoenix.

Shortstop Starlin Castro already is in as a reserve, along with manager Mike Quade as a coach. And top setup man Sean Marshall is on a short list of possible replacements if the National League is forced to drop a pitcher for injury or schedule reasons.

''There's always hope,'' Marshall said. ''But we're just going to work on the games this week and try and have some good innings and finish the first half of the season on a good note.''

But another Cubs player might have as good a chance as Marshall at getting a late trip to Phoenix: first baseman Carlos Pena.

Pena didn't hit a home run in April, but he led the majors with 10 in June and has 17 for the season. And if Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, the captain of the NL's Home Run Derby team, needs a slugger to round out his squad, Pena sounds more than willing to listen."