Piniella said on Wednesday that he's considering batting Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome in the leadoff spot against left-handed starters rather than hit fifth. Against right-handers, Fukudome would bat fifth.

"I wouldn't mind leading Fukudome off against lefties, to be honest," Piniella said. "I'm not saying we're going to do that -- that's in my mind. I like him there. He makes the pitcher throw a lot of pitches, and it's a good spot for him."

Fukudome has faced quite a few lefties this spring, and does see a lot of pitches in his at-bats. And if he stays in the fifth spot against southpaws, Piniella is worried that teams won't pitch to Aramis Ramirez, who will hit fourth.

"I like to tinker a little bit and try things," Piniella said. "We'll see what we do. We'll play around with our lineup against left-handers here."

He may experiment this weekend in Las Vegas against Seattle lefty Jarrod Washburn, who is scheduled to start Saturday.