The Cubs outfielder was in the lineup Tuesday before the game against the Atlanta Braves was postponed because of rain. The two teams will play a split doubleheader on Wednesday, and Fukudome will have a chance to show he can get out of this funk.

"He's a real good player," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of the right fielder, who was batting .269 overall and went 3-for-28 in the just-completed nine-game homestand. "To his credit, he's continued to hustle, and he's played really well in right field.

"He's just in a little bit of a slump. He's probably trying to do too much, and he needs to do the things he's capable of, like he was doing early in the year. He's taking less pitches, not working the count the way he was earlier. He just needs to swing at more strikes. I really respect him and really like him as a player."

Asked if that was the case, Fukudome said no.

"I haven't made any drastic changes," Fukudome said through interpreter Ryuji Araki. "I feel as comfortable as before."

On Sunday, Piniella said he'd replace Fukudome in the lineup if he continues to struggle, especially since he has other offensive options, such as Reed Johnson and Mike Fontenot. Fontenot, who was batting .354 in his last 33 games, would play second, and Mark DeRosa could shift from second to right. Johnson has been on a tear, batting .455 in his last 16 games.

On Tuesday, the Cubs manager tried to downplay his comments, saying his statements created a "stir." He has said the same about other players.

"Sometimes, 'stirs' are good," Piniella said.

The Japanese media who cover Fukudome definitely thought it was big enough news on Sunday.

"I didn't think it would be that big," Fukudome said. "The Olympics are bigger news."

Alfonso Soriano joked with the outfielder at the batting cage before Tuesday's game was postponed. Fukudome's average has dropped every month since the season began, from .305 in April to .236 in July.

"This thing is all about confidence," Soriano said. "If you're confident, everything will be fine. Everybody has bad moments. I think he understands.

"This is his first year in the United States, but he has played a lot of years in Japan. He can't think about trying to do too much. It's not easy for him, first year in the United States. He doesn't have friends, it's a different country. There's a lot of things in his head, and he never played in as many games here like he did in Japan."

Maybe teams have better scouting reports on Fukudome?

"If he hits fastballs and the scouts see it, they'll throw more breaking balls," Soriano said. "That's what it's all about -- being confident and making adjustments. I want to talk to him and say, 'Don't lose your confidence and come back every day like it's a new day. Every day is different.' He can play bad yesterday or today, but tomorrow is another day."

Have pitchers taken a different approach?

"Maybe a little bit," Fukudome said.

The Cubs signed Fukudome to a four-year, $48 million contract this offseason and need to have him make the adjustment.

"We want this young man to hit," Piniella said. "We're pulling for him."