The Cubs benched reigning National League Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto earlier this week. Soto, the team's catcher, has been slumping to begin the season and is hitting just .119. "All I can say is I'm here ready for whenever he needs me," said Soto, speaking of Chicago manager Lou Piniella. The manager said that he's trying to give Soto a mental break. "I don't think it has anything to do with the sophomore slump," Piniella said, "but sometimes with a young player, rather than battling it out, you get him out of there to relax, give him a little time to get himself together." Soto was hoping to return to the lineup on Wednesday.