Extra bases

• The Cubs are skipping Jake Arrieta in the rotation to keep Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija on schedule, a move that will also give Arrieta some time to work on his mechanics. Arrieta has made three starts since coming off the disabled list, and he has been limited to about 80 pitches each time.

Arrieta started on Tuesday in St. Louis and is scheduled to open the Cubs' series at San Diego on Thursday, and he will have a couple side sessions before that to correct his delivery. Arrieta said he was "too rotational."

• Pedro Strop, on the disabled list since May 7 with a left groin strain, is expected to go to the Cubs' facility in Mesa, Ariz., early next week to continue his rehab. There is no timetable for his return.

• Jose Veras needed just five pitches to get two outs in the sixth on Thursday in his first game back after missing time with a strained left oblique. Veras began the season as the Cubs' closer, but for now, Renteria said they will continue to ease the right-hander into games.

"We'll chip away and let him have success and continue to work," Renteria said.

• Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, struck out 11 over eight scoreless innings in Triple-A Iowa's 2-0 win over Round Rock on Thursday. Hendricks didn't walk a batter.