"As the Cubs head to Fenway Park this weekend, manager Mike Quade is contemplating whether to let Alfonso Soriano battle the Green Monster in left field Friday or serve as the designated hitter instead.

The 36-foot-high wall at Fenway can be difficult for even the best outfielders, and Soriano is in no danger of winning a Gold Glove.

"Sometimes I wonder if we make too much of that," Quade said. "The fact is, there's not a lot of ground to cover there, and as long as you understand (you're) having to play a hard-hit ball, carom-wise, and (not) getting wrapped up in getting to the ball too late … literally, the shortstop can play the carom on a hard-hit ball to left a lot of times.

"I'll weigh that out (Friday). I'll probably get to the park early and walk around and make a decision.""