Right-hander Carlos Zambrano, who left the Cubs after winning Tuesday's start against the Nationals to visit his critically ill nephew in Venezuela, is expected to return to the team Saturday in Cincinnati and take his next scheduled turn on the mound Monday at home against Pittsburgh.

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro committed his team-high 20th error Tuesday night, when he sailed a throw to second base into right field in the first inning of the Cubs' 5-4 win over the Nationals.

Today we look at the Indiana quarterback position. Obviously this is Ben Chappell's team but there has been a good competition going between Dusty Kiel and Ed Wright-Baker for the No. 2 spot. Our position-by-position look will continue tomorrow with a look at the wide receivers and tight ends.

Today: Quarterbacks. Tomorrow: Wide receivers and tight ends.

Quarterbacks
Ben Chappell 6-3, 242, Sr., 3L
Dusty Kiel 6-2, 230, Fr., RS
Ed Wright-Baker 6-1, 221, Fr., RS

Position Coach: Matt Canada has served three different head coaches in his current stint as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Hoosiers. Canada came to IU to be on Gerry DiNardo's Indiana staff, then served under the late Terry Hoeppner and currently under Bill Lynch.

Strengths: Chappell is coming off a season where threw for nearly 3,000 yards while completing 63 percent of his passes. He has one of the best wide receiver groups in the conference to throw to, and three solid tight ends. He also has two capable backups in Kiel and Wright-Baker.

Weaknesses: Chappell needs to cut down on his interceptions (15 a year ago) and do a better job with the Hoosiers converting on third down.

Watch For: There will be a good battle throughout the season for who will be Chappell's successor next season. Both Kiel and Wright-Baker have had good camps and the race for the No. 2 spot is still too close to call.

Bottom Line: Indiana's strengths as a football team are at quarterback and wide receiver and getting the most out of the passing game. Most feel that IU won't have trouble scoring but it will be up to the defense to keep the Hoosiers in games.

Follow Terry Hutchens at twitter.com/indystar_hutch

Marlon Byrd turned some heads with his hustling play during the All-Star Game, but Cubs fans have grown accustomed to the veteran's max-effort approach.

Even though Carlos Zambrano certainly liked his effort and how it helped the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over Washington before 18,250 at Nationals Park, the big right-hander had other things on his mind much more important than fastballs and home runs.

The Cubs selected the contract of left-hander Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, and optioned pitcher Justin Berg back down.

Marlon Byrd pleaded his case to interim manager Jim Quade, but the skipper still gave his All-Star the night off.

Casey Coleman and his family had a lot of fun after the rookie pitcher got his first Major League victory on Monday night in the Cubs' 9-1 rout of the Nationals.

Here's the latest look at the IU football team, switching now to the offensive side of the ball.

Today: Running backs. Tomorrow: Quarterback

Running Back
Darius Willis 6-0, 225, So., 1L
Trea Burgess 6-1, 230, Sr., 3L
Zach Davis-Walker 5-8, 196, Jr., 2L

Position Coach: Dennis Springer is in his third year coaching the IU running backs. He has also coached at Ball State, Bowling Green and Western Kentucky in a coaching career that spans 18 years at the collegiate level.

Strengths: IU has some good, hard-running backs, and have three or four players who could get a decent amount of carries this season. The question mark is whether Bill Lynch opts to go with any true freshmen like Antonio Banks or Matt Perez, or if he chooses to stick with the veteran players and redshirt his first year guys. Chances are the freshmen will be redshirt unless Willis doesn't get healthy.

Weaknesses: The most glaring weakness for IU in the running game is simply knowing which players will be healthy enough to go. Darius Willis, who should be IU's top running back, has missed the majority of camp with a hamstring injury. If health issues continue to be a problem, then IU's weakness will be having a consistent back.
Watch For: If healthy, Willis could be primed for a breakout season. As a freshman last year, Willis made six starts and ran for 607 yards, six touchdowns and a 4.9 yard per carry average. He had three 100-yard games, and averaged 76.9 yards in Big Ten games. That ranked fourth in the conference.

Bottom Line: Much will depend on the offensive line's ability to open holes and also if this group can stay healthy. If both of those happen, IU could have a much improved running attack. Guys like Nick Turner and David Blackwell could assist in a backup role, and Burgess will be called on for short yardage situations in particular. Turner, the former Southport standout, appears to be ahead of Blackwell in the pecking order.

Follow Terry Hutchens at twitter.com/indystar_hutch

Mike Quade gazed across the spacious wood desk in the visiting manager's office at Nationals Park, a little unsure what to do with the mementos of his first Major League victory.

For debuts, new Cubs interim manager Mike Quade couldn't have fared much better. Casey Coleman earned his first big league win and a couple of lineup changes paid off in a 9-1 Chicago victory over Washington.

Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd left Monday's 9-1 win over the Nationals after being struck by a pitch by Washington starter Livan Hernandez in the third inning, and is day-to-day with a right wrist bruise.

Cubs interim manager Mike Quade has decided to leave rookie Tyler Colvin in the outfield and doesn't expect to to utilize the left-hander at first during the club's current series, barring injuries.

Injured Cubs right-hander Carlos Silva, on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 2 for cardiac evaluation, will throw a side session Tuesday at Nationals Park.

The Cubs activated Geovany Soto from the 15-day disabled list before Monday's game against the Nationals and inserted the catcher, who had been sidelined with a sprained ligament in his right shoulder, into the starting lineup.

Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell on Monday deflected any disappointment at being passed over for the managerial job that went to third-base coach Mike Quade.

The Cubs completed their revamped Major League coaching staff on Monday, with the announcement that former outfielder Bob Dernier will take over as first-base coach.

The final two stops on the IU Tailgate Tour for 2010 come up in the next three days. The first is tonight in Bloomington, and the final one Wednesday night in Carmel.

On hand at the Bloomington stop will be football coach Bill Lynch, basketball coach Tom Crean, volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar, women's basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack and first year men's soccer coach Todd Yeagley.

Don Fischer will emcee the event which will be held at the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th Street in Bloomington.

The event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the cost is $20, including dinner and beverage. A cash bar will also be available.

The Carmel event, which will serve as the Indianapolis Tailgate stop as well, will be held at The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel, IN 46033. Lynch, Crean, Dunbar, Legette-Jack and Fischer will appear along with IU A.D. Fred Glass.

This event will go from 6-8 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:45 p.m.

IUAA, I Association and Varsity Club members will be charged $10 per person and the cost is $15 for non-members. There is no charge for children under the age of 12.

Meals will be provided and consist of a choice of grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and/or bratwursts. Sides include baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and fried biscuits with apple butter. Drinks include iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks and beer.

Follow Terry Hutchens at twitter.com/indystar_hutch

My third installment of a position-by-position look at IU football today takes a look at a very competitive defensive secondary.

Today: Defensive backs. Tomorrow: Running backs

Defensive Backs

RC
Richard Council 6-1, 201, Sr. 2L
Lawrence Barnett 5-10, 194, Fr., RS

FS
Chris Adkins 6-1, 195, Jr., 2L
Donnell Jones 5-10, 210, Jr. 2L

SS
Mitchell Evans 6-3, 200, Sr., 3L
Jarrell Drane 6-2, 210, Jr., 1L

LC
Matt Ernest 6-2, 190, Jr., 2L
Adrian Burks, 6-0, 185, Sr., 3L

Position Coaches: Joe Palcic is in his sixth season as IU's co-defensive coordinator and second year coaching the secondary. He has headed one of the most competitive areas for playing time in summer camp as at least six cornerbacks have all been in the mix for the starting two spots, and at least four safeties as well for those two slots.

Strengths: Every one of the four players penciled into start the opener against Towson have at least two varsity letters. So one way to look at is that IU is filled with experience. The problem is Evans is coming over from the offensive side of the ball after playing safety as a freshman. Ernest was a wide receiver up until this season, but like Ray Fisher before him has made the move and should start at one corner position.

Weaknesses: The unknown. While the competition has been fierce throughout camp in the secondary, now we have to see if these guys can play. If they can't, there appear to be a number of players ready to take their shots. But soft coverage and giving up big plays have been a big area of concern in the secondary in recent years and could be the different between IU having a winning or losing season this year.

Watch For: Council has had a good offseason and many around the team believe he could have a breakout year. He has started 14 games over the last two years but this yer appears to be playing with a new found confidence.

Bottom Line: If the IU defensive line is good at stopping the run, which it is expected to be, opponents could have the ball in the air more than ever against the Hoosiers. That will mean IU's secondary will have to consistently make big plays. Last year opponents converted on third down to the tune of 48 percent, a number that must shrink in a major way this season.

Follow Terry Hutchens at twitter.com/indystar_hutch

Lou Piniella, who turns 67 on Aug. 28, announced he is retiring immediately after Sunday's Cubs game to go home and take care of his ill mother, giving his players an early goodbye after planning to wait until the end of the season.