Former Cardinals star Edmonds makes Cubs debut in 4-0 victory

CHICAGO -- Jim Edmonds insisted he's healthy and can perform at a high level. The Chicago Cubs are giving him a chance to prove it, and his first opportunity came against his former team, the San Diego Padres.

"I've got a lot left," Edmonds said Thursday before going 1-for-4 in his first game with the Cubs. "I feel my body's in as good a shape as it's been in six, seven years. We'll just see what happens."

Six days after being released by San Diego, Edmonds started in center field and batted sixth against the Padres. He figures to platoon with Reed Johnson, who has played well.

"It's sort of an awkward situation right now," said Edmonds, who agreed with Chicago on Wednesday. "I've never been in this situation before. ... They sounded like they wanted me. It seemed like a really good fit for me. Hopefully, I can just come in and help the team. That's all I'm really trying to do. Whatever they need, I'll do it for them."

An eight-time Gold Glove and four-time All-Star, the 37-year-old Edmonds strained his right calf in a spring training game March 6 and started the season on the disabled list. He was activated April 5 and batted .178 in 26 games with one homer and six RBIs -- well below his .286 career average.

Edmonds had an $8 million salary this year, which is being mostly paid by San Diego. The Padres received $2 million from the St. Louis Cardinals when they acquired Edmonds on Dec. 15 for minor league third baseman David Freese. Chicago will pay Edmonds a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum, which comes to about $290,000.

"I was starting to swing the bat better," Edmonds said. "My legs were underneath me. I've been running better this year than I have in five or six years, with the program I did this winter. I got off to a slow start, and that's the way it goes. I've always had the benefit of the doubt to keep going out there and play everyday, and this year I didn't."

A key figure in the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry during his eight years in St. Louis, Edmonds wasn't sure how the fans would react to him and even said in jest, "I'm scared about that."

One person who was quick to embrace the newcomer was Carlos Zambrano. On July 19, Edmonds watched a home run land on Sheffield Avenue, and Zambrano shouted at him as he circled the bases. Edmonds struck out the next time up, and Zambrano wagged his finger at him. After Scott Rolen homered in the eighth inning, Zambrano hit Edmonds with a pitch and got ejected.

On Thursday, Zambrano gave Edmonds a handshake, turned to reporters and said, "You see?"

Zambrano said he's glad to have Edmonds playing behind him.

"One of my teammates told me the other day that he's the kind of guy you may hate him when he plays for the opposite team," Zambrano said. "But you love him when he plays on your team."