CHICAGO -- Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup about two hours prior to first pitch due to swelling from a cyst above his right eye. Matt Murton took Fukudome's fifth spot in the lineup against the Pirates and played left field, while Mark DeRosa moved to right.

Before the game, manager Lou Piniella intimated Fukudome might get the day off depending on how he fared during batting practice. But the skipper stated, "If he doesn't play, it's just a one-day thing."

Fukudome had appeared in all 17 games for the Cubs this season.

Murton, who was called up from Triple-A prior to Saturday's game, is 10-for-22 (.455) with a homer and three RBIs in his career against Pittsburgh's lefty starter, Zach Duke.

While Fukudome was scratched, pitcher Scott Eyre appears closer to returning. He's been on the disabled list since the start of the season due to left elbow inflammation. The plan is for the veteran to start rehabbing in the coming days.

"We're going to send him down to Daytona Beach or someplace that's warm and let him get some work there," Piniella said. "But he's probably still not on the horizon yet of being here. He's been out a while now and he's going to need a little time. What's a little time? A week to 10 days? I don't know."