ST. LOUIS -- After sitting out for three games with a left oblique injury, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was reinserted into the lineup Saturday.

Ramirez who batted fourth while manning his usual spot at third base, homered on the first pitch he saw from Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Ramirez may experience some discomfort, but was cleared to play with the bruise.

"It is good to get him back out there and just keep him there," Piniella said. "He had a little bruise under his rib cage, you know, some discomfort. But [our trainer] didn't think it was serious, so he is back out there. Keep him out there -- that is the important thing."

Silva will need at least one rehab start

ST. LOUIS -- Recovering from a minor heart procedure five days ago to regulate his heartbeat, Cubs starter Carlos Silva will need to make at least one rehab start before rejoining the Major League roster, Chicago skipper Lou Piniella said Saturday.

Silva last pitched Aug. 1 against the Rockies before being pulled from the game in the first inning.

Piniella said Silva was healthy after the operation, but needed to test himself under game conditions before rejoining the Cubs' rotation. No start has yet been scheduled.

"He is going to have to go on a rehab," Piniella said, "but not too long. He will only be out a little over 15 days, so it shouldn't be, I would think, sending him out for at least one start would be the prudent thing to do and make sure he is OK."

Despite expanded rosters coming soon, and an influx of young pitchers, Piniella said Silva's spot in the rotation is safe as long as the right-hander is healthy.

Minor League report

ST. LOUIS -- With expanded rosters and September callups quickly approaching, here is a quick look at a few of the potential farmhands to join the Cubs in two weeks.

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir continued his hot streak at Triple-A Iowa Friday, extending his hitting streak to 19 games, going 2-for-4 on the day with three runs scored. He is hitting .276 with a .358 on-base percentage and .520 slugging percentage on the season.

Jeff Samardzija has appeared in 30 games this season, starting 10. The former Major League reliever is 9-2 on the season with a 3.27 ERA in 82 2/3 innings pitched. He has struck out 77, but walked 52 for the season.

Jay Jackson might also be looking at a future Major League appearance. The 23-year-old right-hander has made 20 starts for Iowa and leads the team with 130 2/3 innings pitched. His 4.27 ERA is middling, but his 1.19 WHIP leads all Iowa starters, and he carries a decent 2.5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has made it clear that, with the Cubs out of the pennant race, young guys will see playing time in September.

Tidbits

ST. LOUIS -- Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome entered Saturday one hit away from reaching 1,500 hits in his combined Japanese and Major League careers. ... Carlos Zambrano was 4-0 with a 1.62 ERA at Busch Stadium entering Saturday. ... Upon watching Albert Pujols and Zambrano chat during batting practice before the game Saturday, Cubs skipper Lou Piniella ventured that you would have never seen such an occurrence between opponents during his playing days. Piniella retired in 1984.