When he does, he'll be switched from center field back to left field, where he played last season with the Washington Nationals.

Soriano was out of the lineup today for a fifth straight game after straining his left hamstring last Monday. After running in the outfield, he said he was ready to play but was advised by trainer Mark O'Neal to give the injury two more days to heal.

Manager Lou Piniella says putting Soriano in left would take some of the strain off the hamstring. Soriano, who signed an eight-year, 136 (M) million-dollar contract in the off-season, says he's all for the move.

Soriano initially balked at being moved from second base to the outfield last year in Washington but ended up making the All-Star team and having 22 assists to go with 46 homers and 41 steals.