CHICAGO — Injuries continued to mount for the Chicago Cubs, who put reliever Scott Eyre on the 15-day disabled list today because of a left groin strain.

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano (shoulder) and outfielders Alfonso Soriano (broken hand) and Reed Johnson (back) are already on the DL.

The starting lineup isn't all healthy, either; starting shortstop Ryan Theriot was out of the lineup against the White Sox for a second straight game Saturday with a bruised hand. Center Fielder Jim Edmonds is playing with a sore foot and right fielder Kosuke Fukudome missed two games earlier this week with a tight calf muscle. He was back in the outfield Saturday after DHing on Friday. Theriot is expected back Sunday.

The Cubs recalled right-hander Jose Ascanio from Triple-A Iowa to take Eyre's place on the roster. He made four relief appearances for the Cubs earlier this year with no record and a 1.80 ERA.

The left-handed Eyre began the season on the disabled list with a sore left elbow. He was activated May 9 and has gone 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 18 relief appearances. He had a franchise-record 33 straight scoreless relief outings — over two seasons— before it was snapped on June 15 by Toronto.

Zambrano threw in the outfield before Saturday's game against the White Sox and said he felt good. He will throw a bullpen session Sunday and hopes to return to the rotation next weekend in St. Louis.

Soriano had hoped to be back before the initial six-week projection for his injury to heal. Doctors were pleased with a second X-ray he had Friday on his broken left wrist, which he got when he was hit by a pitch from Atlanta's Jeff Bennett on June 11.

Soriano said Saturday the soreness was gone but his wrist was still weak from lack of activity. He hopes to be back before the All-Star break and could also play in the All-Star game in New York, where he launched his career. He is leading the fan voting for NL outfielders.

"It depends. If I'm ready to play before the All-Star game I'll go, but if not I have to just shut it down," Soriano said. "I would like to go to the All-Star game but like I said, if my hand is not good I can't."

Johnson could be back with the Cubs by Thursday, manager Lou Piniella said, adding his first place team have to work through the series of injuries. The Cubs had lost three of four before Saturday's game.

"We just have to live through it. There is nothing you can do. We have to tough it out and win as many games as we can until we get healthy again," Piniella said.