"If the hits by Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena each of the last two nights are an indication his bat is starting to stir again, give a healthy dose of credit to Mark O'Neal and Ed Halbur.

''These guys are geniuses, man,'' Pena said of the Cubs' head athletic trainer and assistant trainer, who custom-molded a cast-like guard to protect Pena's injured right thumb under his glove while he plays in the field. ''Hopefully, that thing is going to really help me and protect it. It's not 100 percent, but it's so much better. I'm happy.''

Just a few days ago, Pena had trouble buttoning a shirt, never mind hitting with power, especially after a throw from third baseman Aramis Ramirez last Sunday aggravated the already-jammed thumb.

The pain was ''excruciating,'' Pena said, and then he lost sensation in his lower arm while reaching for a throw in the dirt on the next play.

The next day, O'Neal, Halbur and Pena met, with the result being the guard. Pena was just 1-for-7 after the Ramirez throw until getting to Colorado, where he has shown more life at the plate.

''Now I'm getting back to the point of actually being able to squeeze the bat,'' he said. ''I felt like I was hitting with one hand. But with this guard, hopefully this will help my hand from getting banged up again, and it can keep getting better and better.''"