The finger blister that forced Cubs closer Kerry Wood to miss the All-Star Game may also land the right-hander on the disabled list.
After Monday's opener of a three-game set with the Diamondbacks, Piniella said that Wood will treat the blister with ointment and try to throw on Wednesday.
If that doesn't work out, the DL is all but a certainty.
''Truthfully, we see no way,'' manager Lou Piniella told reporters Sunday of Wood staying off the DL. ''We're coming to the point where we're going to have to come to a conclusion on this thing."
Wood last pitched July 11 when he closed out a 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants for his 24th save in 29 chances. He has a 3.02 ERA.
The blister on his right index finger had yet to improve Sunday, and the Cubs expected him to miss at least the next two games.
''We wanted to wait 'til we got to Arizona," Piniella said. "But if he's not going to be able to pitch Monday night or Tuesday, maybe even Wednesday -- we'll see.''
The Cubs host the Marlins on Thursday to start a four-game set.
Wood would be eligible to return from the 15-day DL Sunday against Florida. Carlos Marmol would continue to fill in for Wood in the closer's role.
Marmol, who has a 4.05 ERA in 53 1/3 innings this season, pitched a perfect ninth Sunday in a nonsave situation as the Cubs beat the Astros 9-0.
The Cubs lost 2-0 on Monday, and Marmol didn't pitch.